CALGARY – The University of Calgary Dinos women's basketball team improved to 5-0 to start the conference season Friday night, defeating the UFV Cascades with a decisive second-half effort during their home opener inside the Jack Simpson Gym. 

The opening quarter featured steady trading of baskets, with UFV edging ahead 15-14 on Bernie Leda's buzzer beater to end the first. The Dinos began to settle in during the second, led by perimeter scoring from Lilia Skumatova and inside finishes from Kourtney Oss and Emma Yarwood, building a 30–18 halftime lead.

The third quarter proved to be the difference, as the Dinos held the Cascades off the scoreboard for nearly the entire frame while generating consistent offense at the other end. Pollyanna Storie led the surge with a series of layups, mid-range jumpers, and a three-pointer, while Christine Geraldo and Amélie Collin facilitated well in transition. Calgary limited the visitors to just two points in the entire quarter, extending their lead to 50-20 after three, firmly in control of this one.

The Cascades responded with improved shooting in the fourth, including threes from Kalie Saari, Ashlyn Adams, and Charley Arnold, but it wasn't enough as the Dinos coasted to the win. Additional scoring contributions from Yarwood, Elana Sireni and Skumatova helped Calgary close the game out and finish off a strong defensive performance. The Dinos remained composed despite Cascades' late push and managed the closing stretch to assert the win.

Storie finished the night with 17 points, leading Calgary in scoring. However, she still emphasized both the strong response after a slow start and the need to prepare for the rematch. 

"Really proud of the team. We started off shaky. They're a good team, but that third quarter was what got us the win," said Storie. "We still have a lot to improve, so we're going to watch some film and work on it for tomorrow."

Storie remains focused heading into the second game of the back-to-back, shifting focus quickly to the next challenge. "You've got to completely reset. Tomorrow is a new day. At the end of the day, the score is still zero-zero when you start."

Calgary head coach Sarah Besselink echoed her words, noting the early trouble the team faced, but appreciating the response. 

"First quarter was a little back and forth. We didn't set the tone defensively and we were a bit rushed on offense," said Besselink. "But I was happy with the next three quarters and how we adjusted as the game went on."

The two teams are right back at it Saturday at 4 p.m.

-UC-