CALGARY – The University of Calgary Dinos improved their record to 3-0 on the season, defeating the Brandon Bobcats 91-61 in their home opener at the Jack Simpson Gym on Saturday night.
Brett Layton dominated at both ends of the floor as he posted 27 points and 21 boards, following up on the strong start he had last weekend in Vancouver.
Ezeoha Santiago contributed 23 points while shooting 80.0% from the field.
Anthony Tsegakele posted 18 points and 17 rebounds, while Haashim Wallace also compiled 18 points to share the Bobcats' team lead on the night.
The Bobcats, who came into the night averaging 91 points a game, put up a fight in the first quarter to match the Dinos' shooters. Tsegakele banked nine points for Brandon during the quarter.
"In the first five or six minutes of the game we didn't defend at all," said Dinos head coach
Dan Vanhooren. "They hit some tough shots I have got to give them that, but we have to do a better job of coming out and operating our game plan."
While the Bobcats offence came out strong in the first quarter it was a different story in the second as the Bobcats went scoreless for over three minutes, allowing the Dinos plenty of time to build a healthy lead. Layton was stellar on the court for the Dinos in the second, offering up 10 points as the Dinos went up 51-32 heading into the half.
After shooting just 6.3% in the second quarter, the Bobcats were forced to make more tough shots in the second half and struggled from the field. The Dinos grew their lead to as big as 31 as they out-rebounded their opponent and shot above 43% during the third and fourth quarter.
It was the Dinos' smothering defence and strong offence through the final three quarters that offered up the nail in the coffin for the Bobcats as the Dinos took it 91-61.
Both the Dinos and Bobcats will be back in action tomorrow afternoon at Jack Simpson Gym as they face off again at 4 p.m.
