LETHBRIDGE, Alta. – Another fourth-quarter run got the third-ranked University of Calgary Dinos over the hump as they improved to 12-0 with an 86-74 win over Lethbridge Saturday night at the 1st Choice Savings Centre.
Following a nail-biter in Calgary Thursday that saw the Pronghorns nearly hand the Dinos their first loss of the season, the Southern Alberta rivals picked up just where they left off in the rematch.
Trailing to start the fourth, a pair of hoops by freshman
Noah Wharton tied the game at 66 and the Dinos stepped up the defensive pressure from there, finishing the game on an 11-2 run to put away a feisty Lethbridge team that falls to 4-10 on the season.
Lethbridge was led by a double-double performance from
Jeff Rodehutskors, with 13 points and 10 rebounds, while Kyle Peterson, Colton Gibb, and Scott Mazutinec also chipped in for the home side with 16, 13, and 12 points.
Calgary relied on the trio of
Ezeoha Santiago (21 points, 6 rebounds),
Mason Foreman (21p, 7r), and
Max Eisele. Santiago and Foreman tied for the game high with 21 points each, while Eisele shot 7-10 from the field, adding three rebounds, four assists, and five steals.
"I thought the game was good for us," said Dinos head coach
Dan Vanhooren. "We were mentally composed, which I thought was really positive, especially playing down here. We missed a lot of defensive assignments, although we were more solid defensively tonight. We played solidly and got great contributions off the bench – Noah was terrific.
Max Eisele was excellent tonight, and we need that kind of guard play."
After a physical battle on Thursday night, the teams showed that there was no love lost between the Southern Alberta rivals. An early 9-3 run by the Dinos would be quickly followed by an 8-0 Pronghorn run. It was a three point shootout in the opening quarter, with both sides relying on the three ball. With the score 11-9 for the 'Horns, Kyle Peterson would knock down a three pointer before Santiago would respond with a triple of his own for the Dinos. The teams would trade baskets to end the quarter, with the 'Horns taking an 18-16 lead into the second quarter.
Calgary would jump out to a 13-4 run to start the second quarter thanks to sharp shooting by rookie forward Foreman and Eisele. Up by seven, 29-22, the Pronghorns would embark on a 5-2 run thanks first to a strong play to the basket by Chad Oviatt. The Dinos would hang on to a seven point lead for the majority of the quarter. With possession of the ball with just under 30 seconds to play in the quarter, Kyle Peterson would hit a three pointer with no time left on the shot clock to send the 1st Choice Savings Center into a frenzy. The big shot by Peterson would cut the Dino lead to four, 40-36, at the half.
Peterson would start the third quarter just as he left it in the second with a three pointer from way beyond the arc. On the ensuing possession, Peterson would poke the ball free from the Dinos in transition before receiving the ball beyond the arc for another three-pointer. With the 'Horns up 44-40, the Dinos would rely on their physicality, drawing consecutive fouls to earn their points at the charity stripe. Scott Mazutinec would pick up the pace for the 'Horns with a big three pointer, before
Jeff Rodehutskors would hit a mid-range jumper to put Lethbridge back up 51-46. With Calgary in a field goal drought, Dinos captain Eisele would put his mark on the game. The fifth-year senior would knock down a three pointer, before securing an easy two after fighting hard for the offensive rebound. Calgary would build momentum, with a 5-1 run following Eisele, to take a 56-53 lead. As was to be expected in this game, the teams would trade baskets to finish the quarter, with the Pronghorns ahead 62-60.
The Dinos would ultimately prove why they are the defending Canada West champions, outscoring the Pronghorns 26-12 in the fourth to secure the victory.
Brett Layton found himself in foul trouble and finished the first half with just two points, but he still managed a 10-rebound, 7-assist outing and was a key cog for the Dinos down the stretch.
"Brett stuck with it," said Vanhooren. "He got in foul trouble in the first half, and then late in the second half he really showed that not only do we need him, but that he's capable of helping us win a basketball game."
Calgary heads east next weekend to continue a six-game road trip, with a two-game series against the Winnipeg Wesmen set for the Duckworth Centre Jan. 17-18.
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