BRANDON, Man. – It took a herculean effort from Sultan Haider-Bhatti, who finished with 18 points, 15 rebounds and eight assists, to lead the Brandon Bobcats to a 92-86 win over the University of Calgary Dinos Friday night from the Healthy Living Centre.

The loss is the first of the season for Calgary, falling to 2-1, while the Bobcats improve to 3-2 with the win.

The Dinos outscored Brandon 28-19 in the fourth quarter, but ran out of time as they couldn't overcome a cold-shooting night that saw them go just 6-20 (30%) from behind the arc.

Five players scored in double figures in this one for Calgary. Martynas Sabaliauskas led the way with 17 points on 6-9 shooting. Dre Francis finished with 12 points and seven boards. Daniels Baumanis added 11, while Hayden Franson and Daniel Chijioke each chipped in with 10 points apiece.

In addition to the big night from Haider-Bhatti, Travis Hamberger finished 7-10 from the floor for 17 points, while Munroop Gill also shot 70% from the floor for 16 points.

A three pointer from Chijioke midway through the first quarter gave Calgary an 18-16 lead, but Arjun Hehar answered back with a triple for Brandon to retake the lead. 

Things would stay close, but Brandon was able to keep an arms-length lead until a late rally by the Dinos. Baumanis started things off a three before a couple of big buckets from Sabaliauskas. Mrigendra Dhaliwal connected on a three pointer and suddenly Calgary was within four at 84-80.

But the rally ran out of time as the Bobcats hit their free throws down the stretch to ice this one away.

Calgary will look to bounce back in Saturday's rematch, scheduled for a 6 p.m. MT tipoff following the women's game.

-UC-