LANGLEY, B.C. – A 27-point third quarter proved the difference as the Trinity Western University Spartans captured an 88-76 win over the University of Calgary Dinos in Canada West women's basketball action Friday night at the Langley Events Centre.

What had been a four-point game at the half turned into a 15-point Spartans advantage heading into the final 10 minutes after a 14-4 run late in the third quarter sent the home side over the edge.


TWU (11-2) pushed its lead to as much as 21 points in the fourth quarter before holding off the Dinos (8-5) late. 

Kayla Gordon put up a double-double with 25 points and 11 boards to go with seven assists. Tessa Ratzllaff had a game-high 26 points to go with eight rebounds.

With 11 points on the night, fourth-year TWU guard Jessie Brown (Langley) eclipsed 1,000 points for her career. She now sits at 1,001.

Brianna Ghali had 12 points to lead Calgary, while Anmol Mattu and Jenna Spruyt had 10 points each.

The Dinos took an early first-quarter lead, opening a 20-11 lead on the strength of 10 points from Ghali. However, TWU responded with a 10-0 run in the final 1:08 of the frame to take a 21-20 edge through 10 minutes. 

The Spartans pushed their lead to nine, 42-33, when Brown knocked down a 3-pointer, but a late run from the visitors closed the gap to five points, 42-38, at halftime. 

Ratzlaff put up 16 points and eight rebounds in the first half alone, while Gordon wasn't far behind with 11 points and seven boards. Ghali had 12 points for the Dinos.

Shooting 60 per cent from the field (9-15), the Spartans pushed their lead to 15 points through the end of the third quarter. With Gordon putting up eight points to lead the home side, she had a double-double after 30 minutes, with 21 points and 10 boards. 

TWU extended its advantage to 21 points in the fourth quarter before settling for an 12-point victory. 

The two teams square off again Saturday night, with tip-off set for 6 p.m. MT, live on CanadaWest.tv.

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