CALGARY – A strong second-half performance lifted the University of Alberta Pandas over the University of Calgary Dinos for the second night in a row, with a final score of 69-61 on Saturday night in the Jack Simpson Gym.

Coming off a humbling 90-47 setback in their home opener, the Dinos led by seven at halftime. The Pandas stormed back after the break, outscoring the home team 42-27 in the final 20 minutes to sweep the weekend set.

"Clearly it was a better effort than the night before," commented Dinos head coach Damian Jennings. "But we are of course disappointed with the final result."

The Pandas set the tone during the second half as they opened the third quarter with a 15-8 run in the first five minutes. They would never look back and controlled the rest of the second half to improve to 6-0 on the season, while the Dinos slip to 3-3.

"It always feels cruel to win 75 percent of a basketball game, but the third quarter was our undoing, unfortunately," added Jennings.

Mackenzie Cook, a fifth-year forward, posted a team-high 15 points in the win, while a fellow veteran, fourth-year guard, Emma Kary added 12 points. 

On a night where a young Dinos team displayed grit and determination, Annacy Palmer stood out leading the game with 16 points, including a clutch three-pointer to keep the Dinos within striking distance in the final three minutes.

The Dinos will return to the hardwood next weekend as they take on the Mount Royal Cougars in a Crowchild Classic matchup at the Jack Simpson Gym on Dec. 3-4. The Pandas will resume action in the new year when they take on the Grant MacEwan Griffins on Jan. 14-15.