CALGARY – A fourth-quarter surge lifted the University of Calgary Dinos men's basketball team to a 90-75 win over crosstown rival Mount Royal on Friday night at the Jack Simpson Gym.

Mount Royal built a lead of as many as 13 points but was unable to secure just its second Canada West victory over Calgary, with the Cougars' lone win in the series dating back to 2014.

With the result, the Dinos and Cougars now sit tied at 12–7 in the conference standings.

Mount Royal opened the game with purpose, executing cleanly on the offensive end and establishing an early rhythm. Sam Barnie and Jacob McLellan were active right away, while Kole Scott orchestrated the offence as the Cougars jumped out to a 9-0 lead. Calgary weathered the early run by leaning on effort plays, with Hayden Franson providing a spark inside, including two early dunks that helped stabilize the Dinos.

The first quarter was played at a measured pace, with both teams emphasizing half-court execution. Mount Royal maintained control for most of the quarter behind steady shot-making and trips to the free-throw line. Calgary gradually closed the gap late in the quarter, cutting the deficit to 20-12, but Mount Royal carried momentum into the second.

The second quarter continued in similar fashion. Mount Royal remained composed, mixing interior touches with perimeter looks, while Calgary stayed within striking distance through free throws and timely shooting. Aidan Smith and Franson each connected from three-point range to prevent the Cougars from building separation. Despite enduring a prolonged stretch without a field goal, Calgary's defensive effort kept the margin manageable, and the Dinos went into halftime trailing just 38-34.

Mount Royal came out of the halftime break assertively, briefly pushing its lead to seven points early in the third quarter. Barnie and McLellan continued to find space, and the Cougars looked poised to take control. Calgary responded by increasing its physicality on both ends. Daniels Baumanis began to find his rhythm offensively, while Franson's activity on the glass created second-chance opportunities that slowly shifted the momentum.

As the third quarter progressed, Calgary tightened defensively and began to chip away. Interior finishes, free throws, and transition opportunities helped close the gap. A late Franson tip-in at the buzzer pulled Calgary within three points, setting the stage for a decisive fourth quarter with the score at 65-62.

The final quarter opened with heightened intensity. A three-pointer from Baumanis tied the game early, signaling a shift in momentum. Mount Royal responded with timely baskets from Barnie and McLellan, briefly regaining the lead, but the margin remained narrow and every possession became a crucial opportunity.

Calgary then put together its strongest stretch of the night. Back-to-back three-pointers from Smith, combined with strong finishes from Franson and steady decision-making from Dre Francis, allowed the Dinos to gain separation. Calgary's offence became more balanced, while its defence forced Mount Royal into tougher, contested looks late in possessions.

The Cougars continued to compete. Jumpers from McLellan and Desmond Ducheck kept Mount Royal within reach inside the final two minutes. However, Calgary's control of the glass and ability to convert from the perimeter proved decisive. 

"I thought we were lucky to be down four at halftime given how we played," said Dinos head coach Dan Vanhooren. "We had some guys who struggled early, but we needed shots to fall to get our offence going. When that happens, our defence can get set and be managed better.

"Daniels played terrific, we got great rebounding effort out of Hayden, and it was nice to have Dre on the floor in the fourth quarter. It makes a difference for us."

The Crowchild Classic continues Saturday with a 6 p.m. tipoff at the Jack Simpson Gym.

-UC-