CALGARY – The University of Calgary Dinos women's basketball team rang in the new year with an emphatic 90-47 blowout win over the Mount Royal Cougars in 2024's first installation of the Crowchild Classic. 

The Cougars were dominated by the U SPORTS fifth ranked Dinos. Calgary applied a suffocation full court press right from the opening tip causing MRU to struggle to advance the ball.

The Dinos went into the half up by 25 points at 49-24, capped off by half court buzzer beater from Myriam Kone. The Cougars headed to the locker room desperately searching for a plan to fend off the intense pressure from their crosstown nemesis.

Although Calgary's lead continued to build up, they did not let up on the pressure into the second half. Dinos post Louise Rouse led her squad in scoring with 20 points on 66.7 percent shooting (8-12) from the field. 

The Dinos success stemmed from their ability to score off turnovers. Calgary posted a staggering 50 points of MRU's 33 turnovers.

Harriette Mackenzie registered team-highs of 11 points and nine rebounds as a bright spot for the Cougars. 

In all, five Dinos finished the night scoring in double figures. Rouse led the way with 20, followed by Kone and Mya Proctor with 17 apiece. Amélie Collin added 11 points and seven steals, while Lilia Skumatova chipped in with 10 points and five rebounds.

Ultimately, Calgary's full-game full court press guided them to victory, improving their record to 8-3. With the loss, Mount Royal moves to 6-5 in Canada West play.

The two teams are right back at it Saturday at 5 p.m., once again from MRU's Kenyon Court.

-UC-