CALGARY – Four players scored in double figures as the University of Calgary Dinos women's basketball team improved to 6-0 to start the season after a 63-53 win over UFV Saturday afternoon from the Jack Simpson Gym.

The Dinos led from start to finish but had to grind this one out one night after winning by 26. 

Fourth-year forward Kourtney Oss led the way for the Dinos with 11 points on 5-8 shooting to go with six rebounds, four assists, three blocks and one steal.

"We obviously knew they were going to come out harder than they did yesterday since it wasn't as good of a game for them," said Oss. "So we needed to come out hard. The game plan was to stop them on defense and let the offense develop off of that, and continue to push the pace."

The opening half featured a much different Cascades team than Friday night's game. UFV constantly forced steady scoring exchanges from the opening jump, with the Dinos finding their rhythm through a balanced offence. Oss set the tone early with efficient mid-range finishing, while Amélie Collin and Lilia Skumatova provided perimeter shooting to maintain the Dinos' edge. Despite the Cascades knocking down stretches of threes and generating trips to the free-throw line, but the two triples from Fania Taylor in the final minute of the first half saw this one deadlocked at 33-33 after 20 minutes.

The Dinos began to separate in the third quarter, leaning heavily on defensive stops to generate transition opportunities. Oss was central to that surge, stringing together a series of tough jumpers, decisive drives, and well-timed layups while anchoring Calgary on the defensive end. Her presence on the glass and ability to influence plays on both ends created the momentum shift they needed. Pollyanna Storie and Emma Yarwood added on mid-range scoring, and Skumatova's free throws helped the Dinos maintain control through a tightly contested quarter, leading 51-47 after three.

Calgary's execution sharpened in the fourth, where a combination of disciplined half-court defense and sharp ball movement allowed them to push the lead back to double digits. Collin connected on a critical three, Storie knocked down a smooth jumper in rhythm, and Skumatova capped off the night with an assertive layup in transition. While the Cascades found some footing late with interior scoring from Kyanna Knodel and Miah Schuurman, the Dinos' defensive consistency prevented any meaningful runs.

Taylor led the way for the Cascades in this one, pouring in a game-high 21 points on 7-12 shooting, including going 4-6 from three. 

With the weekend sweep secured, the Dinos improve to 6-0 in the conference and continue to build momentum early in the season. They're back in action next Friday and Saturday as they look to extend their unbeaten status, hosting Winnipeg for the annual Pack the Jack game.

-UC-