LETHBRIDGE, Alta. – After managing just 23 points in the first quarter, the second-ranked University of Calgary Dinos put up 50 in the second to defeat the Lethbridge Pronghorns 73-67 Saturday night at the 1st Choice Savings Centre.
Calgary remains unbeaten on the season at 12-0, while the Horns drop to 6-8 with the setback.
The Pronghorns entered this game knowing they would need a near perfect performance against the undefeated Dinos. The 'Horns played a nearly flawless first half, limiting the visitors to 8 of 31 shooting, en route to a 13 point lead at the half. With the 'Horns holding onto a double digit lead until the final few minutes of the third quarter, the Dinos would trim the Pronghorn lead to single digits by quarters end, 54-47.
A new Calgary team would seemingly hit the court to play the fourth, as Calgary would embark on a dominant 18-0 run to open the quarter. Trailing 65-54, the Pronghorns would finally put an end to the Dinos run thanks to a gutsy play by Kacie Bosch to draw an and-one. This would seemingly inject life into the 'Horns as an 11-5 run by the home side would bring the score to 70-65 with two minutes to play. Calgary would push back, with the 'Horns unable to convert on their late opportunities.
Lethbridge was led by a double-double from captain Kacie Bosch (16pts, 11rebs), while Asnate Fomina and Katie Keith also scored in double digits with 15 and 10 points respectively. The Pronghorns shot a blistering 52 per cent (13 of 25) in the first half, before cooling down in the third and fourth quarters.
Calgary was led by
Erin McIntosh with 18 points and five rebounds, while
Liene Stalidzane chipped 17 points and four rebounds, and
Bobbi-Jo Colburn had 13 points. Following abysmal 8-of-31 shooting in the first half, the Dinos would rebound with a blistering 50 per cent shooting performance of their own, 17 of 34 in the second half, to score an even 50 points.
"Clearly the first half didn't go to plan – kudos to Lethbridge, they made some big shots," said Dinos head coach
Damian Jennings. "Ultimately I'm pleased and proud of the girls – it's a 21-point turnaround, we went 16-0 for the first five minutes of the fourth, and we just chipped away at what really was looking like a pretty dire night. At some point the story from tonight is going to come back to help us, not haunt us. I'm proud of them.
"Every single player, at some point in the second half, created a spark."
The first quarter was characterized by strong defense from both teams. With both teams relying on their post players, interior defense was the key to both teams' early success. With the score 8-8 at the 5 minute mark of the first quarter, the Pronghorns began to find their shooters, embarking on a 7-2 run to close out the quarter. Isabel Rattai would connect on a big three pointer on the Horns' final possession to put the home side up 15-10 after one quarter of play.
The Pronghorns came out in the second quarter even more aggressive than the first, jumping out to a quick 6-0 run in 3:30 of play. A strong move in the post would see fifth year Calgary senior Michaela Niewenhuizen end the Pronghorns' run. Up 21-12, the home side would keep their foot on the gas pedal, led by Asnate Fomina. Connecting on consecutive three pointers, Fomina would extend the Lethbridge lead to 13 points, 27-14. The 'Horns would take a 34-23 lead into halftime.
Action was sluggish to open the third quarter, with both teams unable to score the ball in the opening minutes of the quarter. A technical foul on the Pronghorns would open up the quarter, with both sides trading three pointers following the technical call. The teams would go on to trade baskets before a Calgary timeout with the visitors trailing 44-32. Out of the timeout, fifth year senior
Erin McIntosh would connect on an open three in the wing to trim the Lethbridge lead to single digits. A 7-2 run by the home side would restore a 14 point lead, before the Dinos would begin their comeback. Trailing 51-37, the Dinos would connect on back-to-back three pointers, and a field goal, to trim the Lethbridge lead to six, 51-45. Both teams would make a basket to close the quarter, as the 'Horns would enter the final ten minutes with a 54-47 lead.
The Dinos would finish the game a seemingly new team, embarking on a furious 18-0 run in the opening minutes of the quarter to pace themselves to a 73-67 victory.
The Pronghorns will play another home-and-home series next weekend against the Mount Royal Cougars, while the Dinos will travel east to play the Winnipeg Wesmen for a two-game set Jan. 17-18.
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