QUEBEC CITY – A dominant fourth-quarter performance from Kourtney Oss helped the University of Calgary Dinos women's basketball team finish off this year's Final 8 run on a strong note, claiming a 66-59 win over host Laval to earn this year's U SPORTS team bronze medal.

A close game throughout, Calgary used a 13-0 run midway through the second quarter and led the rest of the way, holding off a spirited effort from the RSEQ silver medallists inside the Desjardins Amphitheatre.

"I'm very proud of this team," Dinos head coach Sarah Besselink said. "The theme today was 'empty the tank' – give it everything you've got. X's and O's wise, it's a tight turnaround, so really it was just who wanted it more and luckily we came out on top."

"I'm just really proud of the group," added fifth-year guard Amélie Collin. "We showed a lot of character today after a tough semifinal yesterday. It would have been easy to just hang our heads and not show up, but truly, everyone came in ready to compete. The intensity, the effort and the way we defended together reflects the identity we've built together as a team. So yeah, getting the win and finishing with a medal says a lot."

Oss finished the game with a game-high 18 points on 8-13 shooting to go with an incredible 20 rebounds – marking just the fifth time in Dinos history a player has hauled in 20-plus boards. Oss also added three steals, three assists and two blocks in the win.

Christine Geraldo also poured in 14 points on 5-8 shooting with go with six rebounds for Calgary.

Playing limited minutes in their final games in the Scarlet & Gold, Sydney Milum, Pollyanna Storie and Collin all wrapped up their remarkable careers as Dinos and go out on top, with Storie leading the way statistically in this one with 13 points in just 12 minutes.

"This senior class has truly shown me what it means to be a Dino," Besselink said. "We've worked together so much this year on how they want to lead this program and what legacy they want to leave. I'm super proud of them and excited for what the future holds. I'm very thankful for them." 

Added Collin: "This program has given me so much over the last five years – the teammates, coaches, ups and downs. To be able to end with a medal is really special. 

"It's so special (playing so close to home). My love for basketball kind of started here at Laval when I was a kid doing camps. I don't get a lot of opportunity to play in front of family and friends, so having them there all weekend truly meant a lot. Being able to share these moments with them were so special and I'll never forget this."

Both teams came out of the gates firing, with each connecting on four three-pointers in the opening frame. Storie had the early hot hand, scoring eight in the first for Calgary. Rookie Mackenzie Henderson hit a triple at the buzzer to give the Dinos a 22-21 lead after one.

The Dinos created some separation in the second. After a triple by Brinly Holt gave the Rouge et Or a 27-26 lead, Calgary responded with a 13-0 run. Storie started the run with yet another three before a jumper from Oss and an and-one from Skumatova to build a 39-27 lead with 3:54 to play. Laval was able to claw back some, getting to 39-34 at the half.

Geraldo scored a quick five points early in the third and a layup from Oss gave the Dinos a 47-34 lead early in the frame. Laval was rattle off a 9-0 run to close the gap but Calgary held a 53-49 lead after three.

Anne-Marie Babin hit a jumper to start the fourth to make it a two-point game. That's when Oss took this game over. The fourth-year guard scored an easy one before Milum added a bucket. Oss then scored the final nine points of the game for Calgary, posting a stat line of 11 points, six rebounds, two steals and one block in the fourth quarter alone to help the Dinos clinch the team bronze medal.

"They just didn't really have a matchup for her," Besslink said of Oss and her strong fourth quarter. "She is a very tough matchup. Isolating her at the elbow, slowing things down and telling her to go to work ended up working."

Added Oss: "It feels amazing. Ending on a win is just a great feeling and this is a great accomplishment to bring home this bronze medal."

For Laval, Sabrine Khelifi was named their player of the game, leading the way with 14 points, nine rebounds, five assists and three steals.

Once again, the Dinos defence shined in this one – especially in the second half. After Laval connected on seven threes in the first half, Calgary adjusted and the Rouge et Or went just 1-17 from deep over the final 20 minutes.

The bronze medal is the first U SPORTS medal for the program since also claiming bronze back in 2001. It closes out a special season that saw the team go 16-4 in conference play and 28-5 overall, finishing the year winning 10 of their last 11 games and claiming their first Canada West title since 2001. 

-UC-