CALGARY – This one was never in doubt for the Dinos.

The University of Calgary Dinos defeated the MRU Cougars women's basketball team for the second night in a row with an impressive defensive performance and a 74-48 score. Saturday's game at Mount Royal showcased the 2024 Shoot for the Cure campaign in support of the Canadian Cancer Society. The campaign was established in 2007 and has seen more than $1.75 million in donations raised by all 48 U SPORTS women's basketball teams. 

Each team struggled offensively early with the game's first basket coming at the six-and-a-half-minute mark. More than halfway through the first quarter, the score sat at a minuscule 2-2.

The Cougars tightened up defensively compared to Friday's loss; however, the home team continued to flounder on offence and failed to score a single field goal in the first quarter.

Madison Stata-Luzentales finally broke the drought from the field for the Cougars with a layup early in the second quarter. MRU began to find their stride with a couple of three-pointers from Nora Luca and Isabella Faba.

The Dinos went into halftime up by 13, led by Amélie Collin's nine first-half points.

Into the second half, the nationally ranked Calgary team persisted with dominance. The Dinos consistently broke through the Cougars' defence to extend and solidify their lead in the latter half of the game. Speedy guard Myriam Kone excelled on both ends of the court, registering a game-high 20 points. She also stuffed the stat sheet with seven rebounds, six steals and five assists.

Collin also finished the night with a strong line of 11 points, six steals and five rebounds. Pollyanna Stories and Milica Gajic each also scored in double figures on the night with 11 points apiece.

The Dinos secured the Crowchild Classic sweep and proved too much to handle for MRU, despite the Cougars improving their performance from Friday's blowout loss. Harriette Mackenzie posted her eighth double-double of the season with 14 points and 11 boards.

The Cougars enter their bye week with a 6-6 record in Canada West. After their week away from gameplay, the squad will hit the road to visit the Regina Cougars on January 19. Meanwhile, Calgary now starts a six-game home stand, beginning next Friday with a weekend set against Thompson Rivers.

-UC-