CALGARY – One night after the University of Calgary Dinos erased an early deficit for a big comeback win over rival Alberta, the two teams traded places Saturday as the Golden Bears rallied from an early deficit to earn the 79-70 victory at the Jack Simpson Gym.

After a slow start on Friday, the Dinos played on their front foot in the opening moments Saturday, with Hayden Franson throwing down two early dunks and Calgary holding the Golden Bears to 25% shooting. 

Despite a six-minute span without a bucket in the second quarter, Calgary maintained its lead by smothering the Golden Bears three-point attack. Alberta started the game going just 1-13 from long range, but a Kyle Varner buzzer beating 3-pointer set an ominous tone for the second half.

After Calgary trailed for the first 25 minutes on Friday, it was Edmonton who was allergic to the lead on Saturday night. In the third quarter each Golden Bears' run stalled as they came within a single possession, with their first lead of the game coming at the seven-minute mark of the fourth quarter.

"This close to the tournament time, it's very beneficial for us to be in these positions win or lose, because every single game is going to be like this," said Hayden Franson postgame. 

Franson responded from a quiet Friday evening to notch 13 points and nine rebounds for the Dinos in this one. In another role reversal from Friday, Alberta's offence roared to life in the fourth quarter while Calgary shot an ice-cold 3-16 in the final frame.  

"I think our young players learned a little bit," added Franson. "I learned a little bit about what type of shots we take and specific defensive lapses that we can't have."

Five Alberta players scored double digits on Saturday, while every Golden Bears contributed at least four points in the victory. Varner led the way with a game-high 19 points, going 3-of-8 from behind the arc. The Golden Bears leveraged 22 offensive rebounds to earn 19 extra field goal attempts in the win.

The team that held the lead for 75% of the game ended up losing both contests at the Jack Simpson Gym this weekend, with both Calgary and Alberta showcasing their resolve as the Canada West playoffs loom. With just two games left to go, Alberta moves to 12-6 and in a tie for second place in the league standings, while the Dinos drop to 11-7 and a tie for fourth place heading into the final weeekend.

The Dinos close out their regular season at home against Mount Royal next week, while the Golden Bears welcome the Lethbridge Pronghorns. 

-UC-