Prince George, B.C. - Aiden Smith finished with a career-high 27 points to lead the University of Calgary Dinos men's basketball team in a tight 95-92 overtime loss to the UNBC Timberwolves Friday night from the Northern Sport Centre.

The Timberwolves (4-3) got out to a strong start and led Calgary (4-3) by 12 at halftime, only to see the shorthanded Dinos regroup and take a late fourth-quarter lead. Spencer Ledoux's layup with 43 seconds left in regulation tied the game at 81 and sent things to overtime, where UNBC was able to create some seperation before going 6-of-7 from the free throw line to ice the game away late.

Calgary was once again playing without a pair of starters as they have been bitten hard by the injury bug to start the season.

Smith led all players with 27 points on 10-15 shooting from the floor, including connecting of five of his eight attempts from behind the arc. The second year also hauled in a team-high nine rebounds. Exeoha Santiago also had a strong game, pouring in 21 points in 41 minutes of action. Noah Wharton made his season debut for the Dinos, adding 17 points - with 10 coming from the free-throw line.

Javier Ramos-Yzquierdo played big minutes off the bench for the Dinos Friday, chipping in with 11 points and eight rebounds.

Micah Jesse had a team-high 24 points to go with seven rebounds to lead the way for UNBC, while Chris Ross finished with a double-double of 12 points and a career-high 18 rebounds.

After a cold shooting start to the game, the Dinos got hot after halftime, connecting on over 50-percent of their shots after the break to quickly erase what was once a 13-point deficit. 

After a strong spurt by the Timberwolves to start the fourth and go ahead 67-59, Calgary instantly responded with an 11-0 run to claim its first lead of the game. A triple by Smith was sandwiched by a pair of old-fashioned three-point plays from Santiago and Parker Johnstone to see the Dinos go ahead for the first time at 68-67 with 7:23 left in the fourth. 

The two teams traded blows down the stretch. A pair of free throws from Wharton gave the Scarlet & Gold an 81-79 lead with 2:07 left to play, but Ledoux was able to get an offensive rebound and the put back to tie things up with 43 seconds left. The Dinos would get one last good look, but Smith's shot from the corner at the horn just rattled out to send things to OT.

In the extra period, Smith started things off with another triple, but it was the Timberwolves who would establish the early lead. Jesse sank a pair from the charity stripe to put the home team up five with just 18 seconds to play. Smith once again drilled a three on the ensuing possession to keep Calgary close, but UNBC was able to ice the game away from the line from there.

The two squads are right back at it Saturday, with the rematch scheduled to tip off at 7 p.m. MT.

-UC-