OTTAWA – After securing the national wild card spot, the University of Calgary Dinos women's basketball team is in Ottawa getting set for the U SPORTS Final 8. First up, the Dinos will square off against the Brock Badgers on Thursday, Mar. 5 at 1 p.m. MT at the Arena at TD Place in a national quarter-final.

CBCSports.ca, CBC Gem, and the CBC Sports app will have exclusive live coverage of the entire event.

DINOS BALL IN BYTOWN
After coming out on top of Canada West in the regular season, the Dinos (18-2) defeated the UNBC Timberwolves in the Canada West quarter-final but ultimately lost in the semifinal to the Alberta Pandas. They head to Ottawa having earned the only at-large berth available to the Final 8.

"Ultimately, we are pleased to have been awarded the wild card," commented Dinos head coach Damian Jennings. "After being top of all four categories, we feel we have deserved a place at nationals and are excited about the prospect."

It's the third appearance under Jennings for the Dinos at the Final 8, following trips in 2013 and 2018. Overall, it's the program's fourth trip to nationals in the last nine years and the 16th in program history. Calgary has captured the national title once, back in 1989.

The Dinos host a strong offensive strategy, with third year guard Liene Stalidzane racking up an average 14.5 PPG, 4.4. RPG, and 43.6 FG%. Alongside her are fourth year wing Bobbi-Jo Colburn with a 13.7 PPG and 42.4 FG%, and fifth year wing Erin McIntosh with a 13.3 PPG and 6.1 RPG. Stalidzane and McIntosh were both honoured as Canada West second team all-stars.

BADGERS HEADING IN HOT
The Badgers (17-5) posted a successful season, after staying strong throughout the regular season and defeating Windsor, Western, and Ryerson to win the OUA championship.

Leading the team's ascent is senior point guard Melissa Tatti with an average 18.5 PPG, 4.8 RPG, and 39.6 FG%. Also guiding the Badgers are junior centre Samantha Keltos with a 15.4 PPG and 8.0 RPG, and senior guard forward Jessica Morris with an 11.0 PPG and 5.7 RPG. Tatti earned the OUA Player of the Year honour and a place on the OUA first team all-stars, while Keltos placed on the second team all-stars.

"Brock is a talented basketball team that is extremely well-coached and fully deserved their conference banner," said Jennings. "We are looking forward to our contest against them."

It's the first-ever meeting at the Final 8 between the Dinos and Badgers. The two teams last faced off in preseason action back in October 2016.


SCOUTING REPORT
vs BROCK BADGERS
2019-20 Record: 17-5 (2nd in OUA Central, OUA Champions)
Game info: Thursday, March 5 at TD Place (1 p.m. MST, 3 p.m. Local)


NOTES

• Brock has a team average of 70.9 PPG and 37.0 FG%
• Head coach Mike Rao earned the OUA Coach of the Year award in his second season with the program
• The Badgers are currently on a three-win streak, defeating top-seeded Western and favoured Ryerson on the road to win the Ontario championship
• Calgary and Brock have faced off twice since 2008, with both games going to the Dinos (72-48 and 82-51) in preseason action
• Apart from sophomore Meagan Charbonneau, Brock's roster consists entirely of Ontario natives

-UC-