CALGARY – The University of Calgary Dinos were able stretch their winning streak into the playoffs, hitting 16 wins in a row, as they defeated the UNBC Timberwolves 81-58 Friday night in Game 1 of their best-of-three Canada West quarter-final.
After not playing a meaningful basketball game in just under two weeks, the Dinos showed absolutely no signs of rust, especially on the defensive end. The Dinos had such an impressive first quarter defensively, that Head Coach
Damian Jennings could barely come up with enough positive words about his team's effort.
"I was very pleased, impressed, proud, all of the above," said Jennings. The strong defense would allow the Dinos to take a 20-10 lead after the first quarter.
Jennings would be the first to admit, however, that the same defensive effort was not there in the second quarter, allowing UNBC to gain some traction offensively. Canada West leading rebounder Vasiliki Louka had five of her team-high 16 in the quarter, and the Timberwolves trailed by just 12 at halftime.
In the second half, it was all Dinos, as just like they have all season, used their depth and full-court press to physically wear down the opposition. The Dinos' full-court pressure forced the Timberwolves into 30 turnovers, well above the UNBC season average, and the Dinos turned those 30 turnovers into 30 points. Calgary had a comfortable 15-point lead after three quarters, which the Dinos were able to stretch out even further in the fourth, leading to the 81-58 win.
While defensively it was a total team effort by the Dinos, on offence it was all about fourth-year forward
Erin McIntosh. McIntosh was an unreal five-for-five from three-point range, which marked a season-high three point makes for the forward. She would also add an incredible runner at the end of the shot clock in the third quarter, helping her to a game-high 22 points, while shooting 80 per cent from the field.
Bobbi Jo Colburn and
Courtney Donaldson got in on the fun, with Colburn adding 16 points of her own, while Donaldson came off the bench to add 12.
"They led us well statistically, and I thought they also led us well character wise," said Jennings of the leadership shown by McIntosh and Colburn. "We needed to turn the heat up a bit in the second, and they helped make that happen."
The one area where UNBC was successful on the night was attacking the Dinos down low. Louka and Maria Mongomo were relentless on their attack of the rim, with Mongomo adding 14 points to go along with Louka's 16.
UNBC will look to send the best-of-three series to a third game tomorrow when the teams will square off again at 6 p.m. MT in the Jack Simpson Gym, while the Dinos will look to book a date with the Regina Cougars in the conference semifinal next week.
-UC-
