CALGARY – Robbie Grant scored 16 of his game-high 23 points in the second half to help lead Acadia to an 88-77 comeback win over the University of Calgary Dinos men's basketball team in a U SPORTS Final 8 consolation semifinal Saturday afternoon inside the Jack Simpson Gym.

The Dinos used the home crowd to their advantage and jumped out to a 46-35 lead at the half, but the Axemen shot better than 50% (20-39) in the second half and scored 53 points over the final 20 minutes to advance to Sunday's consolation semifinal against Laval.

The loss ends Calgary's run in this year's tournament that, despite the two results on the court, have been a success on the big picture.

"I know we're young," Dinos head coach Dan Vanhooren said. "I've been in this event many times before. Our young and inexperienced group hasn't. That's going to go a really long way for the guys returning in the future. To know the physicality of the game and the level that they have to achieve going forward will help us every day in practice for the next several years."

Dinos rookie Daniel Chijioke led his squad in scoring in this one, finishing with 15 points on 5-7 shooting to go with five rebounds. Dre Francis had a monster double-double with 14 points and 14 rebounds, while Eli Djordjevic also scored 14 in this one.

Ryan Regault connected on six three-pointers and finished with 21 points and eight boards. 

Acadia started the game on the front foot, leading 16-13 early before the Dinos got hot and finished the opening frame on a 13-2 run as Djordjevic beat the buzzer to make it 26-18 after one.

Calgary kept the Axemen at arm's length in the second. A layup by Briawne Wilson made it a five-point game at 37-32 only to see the Dinos immediately respond with a 7-0 run. Senior Hayden Franson hit a jumper late in the half to give Calgary a 46-35 edge heading into the locker room.

A late run in the third flipped the game around. Trailing 57-46 with 4:58 to play in the frame, the Axemen went into the fourth on a 16-4 run to take a one-point lead.

Things continued into the fourth, with Acadia scoring the first 10 points to suddenly lead 72-61 after three free throws from Gabe Davignon and Calgary couldn't get any closer the rest of the way to close out the 2025-26 season.

Despite the loss, the tournament as a whole has been a huge success for the Dinos, the University and the city of Calgary.

"I think we've shown Calgary's hospitality," Vanhooren said. "The start was a great welcome for the teams. The white cowboy hat welcome was terrific for all the coaches and the players. The venue has shown that it can be capable of doing something like this. The community has come out and supported the games and I think it's been terrific. Nothing but positives."

The Final 8 wraps up Sunday with the fifth-place game tipping off a 11 a.m. before the bronze game is set to go at 1 p.m. The 2025-26 U SPORTS Championship will take place at 5 p.m. inside the Jack Simpson Gym. Limited tickets are still available at GoDinos.com/Tickets.

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