CALGARY – 2023 opened with a bang at the Jack Simpson Gym, as the Winnipeg Wesmen held off the Calgary Dinos, 94-92, in overtime.
Calgary rallied from a 13-point deficit with four minutes to play to force overtime, but just fell short for their third OT loss of the season.
Fifth-year
Mason Foreman made his season debut for Calgary and was electric from start to finish. The all-star forward had initially decided to conclude his Dinos career after the 2021-22 season, before opting to return for the second half of this year. His presence was felt immediately, scoring a game-high 25, including four consecutive made free throws to send the game to OT.
"It felt great (to play again)" said Foreman post-game. "The fans were awesome. My teammates were really hyping me up to come in and I was really excited."
Winnipeg received an infusion of scoring off the bench with Alberto Gordo and Ryan Luke combining for 34 points. Forward Mike Mikhailov opened the game with 10 points in 10 minutes, and scored the final two points in regulation for the Wesmen with one second remaining on the shot clock. He ended the evening with a team-high 24 points and 12 rebounds.
Chippy from the outset, both teams traded barbs through the opening 30 minutes, before some untimely self-inflicted mistakes from Calgary led to a double-digit lead for Winnipeg midway through the fourth. In spite of mounting frustration, the Dinos held fast as
Parker Johnstone notched a three-point play and spurred on a 13-2 Calgary run.
In overtime, with the Wesmen carrying a two-point lead, a chaotic Calgary possession featured bodies colliding all over the court. Winnipeg eventually regained possession and built a four-point lead. Shawn Maranan, who had been held in check for much of the game, hit three critical free throws, and then secured his own rebound off his final miss to all but douse Calgary's hopes.
The win marks Winnipeg's fifth straight, while Calgary falls to 4-7 on the season. Both sides will retake the court Saturday at 8 p.m. Catch the action on Canada West TV.
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