WINNIPEG – The University of Calgary Dinos men's basketball team got a little redemption on Friday night at Investors Group Athletic Centre in Winnipeg.

Facing off in a playoff rematch, the Dinos downed the Trinity Western Spartans 78-72 in the opening round of the Canada West Playoffs and advance to face the No. 2-seed Manitoba Bisons on Saturday.

The story going in was could the Dinos contain the Spartans' top scorer Mason Bourcier. He went off for 41 points, 13 assists and 12 boards in an upset over Calgary in last year's playoffs but was largely held in check on Friday.

"Well, [Bourcier] dropped 41 on us last year, so it was a major part of our game plan to contain him," chuckled Dinos head coach Dan Vanhooren. 

The guard finished with a double-double with 14 points and 11 assists, however, a lot of his scoring came in the second half, as the Dinos led by double figures entering the break. They doubled Bourcier, forcing centre Connor Platz into iso situations, with the big man going just one-for-seven from the field. 

Offensively, Calgary was led by Jeffrey Tezo's 21 points, including two clutch threes late which helped secure a Dinos' win, after the two teams traded the lead six times in the final 10 minutes. 

Forward Mason Foreman, whose presence in the lineup helped the Dinos win six of their last seven – added 11 points and 14 rebounds, while Ezeoha Santiago scored 18. 

Trinity Western battled back from a 38-25 halftime deficit thanks in large part to Austin Galuppo, who netted all five of his treys in the second half, including three to start the third. He finished with 14 points, while Platz had five blocks and David Mutabazi added 14 points and 11 rebounds. 

The score was 50-46 for Calgary entering the fourth. They entered the bonus in the final two minutes, which allowed them to stay aggressive, while a couple of late Trinity Western turnovers were the dagger. Overall, the Spartans gave the ball up 20 times. 

Calgary now prepares for a critical one-and-done battle with the host Herd on Saturday at 6 p.m. MT.

"I think the Bisons are a well-balanced team with players that are capable of playing on both ends of the floor at a high level," said Vanhooren. "We have a lot of work to do defensively before tomorrow."