CALGARY – In a tense back-and-forth game, the University of Calgary Dinos managed to edge out the UNBC Timberwolves with a 67-58 victory on Saturday night at the Jack Simpson Gym.
Calgary extends their record to 10-0, while UNBC slips to 3-7.
The conference's top scorer Madison Landry led the way for the Timberwolves in the opening quarter, scoring eight points as they took an early lead. UNBC had success at both ends of the floor, shooting 45.5% while collecting 10 defensive rebounds.
The visitors kept the Dinos at bay again in the second quarter, beginning on a 10-3 run. Calgary responded with scoring by its veterans.
Bobbi-Jo Colburn,
Liene Stalidzane, and
Reyna Crawford helped shift the momentum to favour the Dinos as they took a four-point lead into the break.
"(The weakest points) were in the focus areas," said Dinos head coach
Damian Jennings. "It's about finding open players and not putting the ball above your head. We didn't do those things today."
The third quarter was still close, with each team scoring less than 15 points. Calgary held on for a 48-42 advantage thanks to Colburn's third three-pointer and a handful of late free throws completed by
Sascha Lichtenwald and
Courtney Donaldson.
UNBC started the final quarter with a 7-0 run but could not contain the Dinos late in the game. Ultimately, a 12-3 run in the final three minutes, including six points from Stalidzane and four from
Erin McIntosh pushed Calgary to claim the win.
Colburn led the Dinos with 22 points and four three-pointers, while Stalidzane and McIntosh came up with 15 and 11 points apiece.
Landry led UNBC with 20 points. Alina Shakirova scooped up 12 points and Emily Holmes finished with 10 points and a pair of three-pointers.
"Credit to UNBC, they came out very physically and set the tone," said Jennings. "We crossed the finish line with a W but UNBC deserve all the credit for creating a game tonight that we didn't respond to very well."
Up next, the Dinos face off against the Lethbridge Pronghorns at home on Thursday, Jan. 9 at 6 p.m. in the Jack Simpson Gym. The Timberwolves will return home for a weekend series against the Fraser Valley Cascades, starting with a game on Friday, Jan. 10 at 6 p.m. in the Northern Sport Centre.
