CALGARY – The University of Calgary Dinos women's basketball team used a strong second quarter to pull ahead and never looked back in a 84-47 win over the University of Manitoba Bisons Friday night at the Jack Simpson Gym.

With the win in their home opener, Calgary now moves to 3-0 for the season, while the Bisons suffer their first loss of the young season to fall to 2-1.

Every Dino made it onto the scoreboard in this one, with Louise Rouse leading the way with 20 points and rebounds with 14 points in just 22 minutes on the court. Amélie Collin scored 13 points and led the team with six assists and three steals.

Emerson Martin led the Bisons in scoring with 10 points, while Anna Miko led with eight rebounds.

The Dinos made a strong start to the first quarter, with Amélie Collin drilling a three-pointer right out of the gates. The Bisons quickly struck back, with Emily Johnson scoring a layup. The first quarter had both teams fighting to gain the upper hand. Martin gave the Bisons a brief lead, but Rouse stopped the Bisons in their tracks, bringing the score to 7-6 for the Dinos with five minutes remaining in the first quarter. Points from Myriam Kone, Collin, Rouse, Milica Gajic, and Pollyanna Storie widened the lead, bringing the score to 21-18 for the Dinos at the end of the first. 

Rouse started the second quarter strong for the Dinos, scoring a layup 30 seconds in. The Bisons continued to fight to shorten the Dinos lead, coming back stronger in the second half of the second quarter with a layup from Treyah Paquette and a three-pointer from Talia Peters. 

But the relentless pressure from the Dinos led to a number of easy buckets in the second as they outscored Manitoba 25-9 in the frame and finished the first half with a 46-27 edge.

The Dinos maintained their strong effort and defence into the second half, maintaining a wide lead throughout the third. A jumper from Mya Proctor continued the Dinos strong lead, bringing the score to 53-31 for the Dinos early in the third quarter. Jordan Kemper also made it on the board with a layup and free throw getting the Dinos another three points, and Kemper eventually finished out the third with a jumper, bringing the score to 66-37.

The fourth quarter had the Bisons fighting to match the Dinos energy and makeup the difference. However, despite baskets by Paquette and Mar Tomas Arbos, the Dinos widened their lead. The fourth quarter saw every member of the Dinos team make it on to the scoreboard. Despite the Bisons attempts, the Dinos 40 minutes of consistent energy and effort sealed the deal, finishing the game 84-47.

The Dinos defence frustrated the Bisons all night, holding them to shoot just 25 percent for the game, including an ice-cold 1-20 from behind the arc.

Calgary continues its home opener weekend with a rematch against the Bisons set for 4 p.m. again from the Jack Simpson Gym. Get your tickets at GoDinos.com/Tickets.

-UC-