By Scott Lepp
The Dinos women’s basketball team opened the regular season with a very convincing sweep over a not-so-strong Brandon University squad. This week the Dinos set their sights on doing the same to the University of British Columbia Thunderbirds, a team who would pose far more of a threat than Brandon. The Dinos came into the game on a high note, with a 2-0 record, while the T-Birds entered even at 1-1.
The Dinos didn’t seem to be playing their usual stifling defence as the T-Birds lit them up, shooting 64 per cent from the field, and 66 per cent from behind the arc. The Dinos went to their dressing room at the half trailing 42-37. In the second half the Dinos defence picked up; the only problem was the Dinos offence didn’t keep up. The teams went back and forth and the game remained fairly close until the last two minutes when the Dinos started to pour it on and forced the game into overtime with a score of 76-76. From here on in the Dinos, outscored the T-Birds 11-5 to give them an 87-81 victory and three victories for the season as they remained unbeaten.
Leighann Doan had a solid game for the Dinos, finishing with 21 points and 10 rebounds. Jennifer Goldade was second in scoring for the Dinos with 15.
"We got outplayed for 95 per cent of the game," said Head Coach Shawnee Harle. "But we showed great poise in the last two minutes of regulation time. Good teams find a way to win ugly."
The Dinos were definitely ready for Saturday night’s rematch. UBC jumped out to a 7-0 lead early in the game, but the Dinos came back on fire and went on to an 18-0 run of their own to break the game open. Just seven minutes into the game Doan received her second personal foul and had to leave the floor. The T-Birds kept attempting to make the game close but the Dino bench came up big and wouldn’t let that happen as Calgary held a 39-31 lead at the half. Sarah Williams absolutely lit the place up during the first half on her way to 13 points. The second half was much the same as the first. The T-Birds could never close the gap or get on a run because the Dinos were pumped and playing incredible defence, forcing turnovers that led to easy buckets. The Dinos continued to pull away and finished the game with a 71-55 victory.
Birthday girl Williams was named player of the game as she lead the Dinos with 16 points; second in scoring was Leighann Doan who chipped in 14 in only 19 minutes of floor time.
"This is more like it, this is what I expect from my team," said Harle concerning Saturday’s defeat of the T-Birds. "Our defence tightened right up and we had a great contribution from our bench."
Following Saturday’s game the Dinos remained unbeaten for the season, but they have a long year ahead of them. Coach Harle has nothing but confidence in her team this year.
"Our long term goal is to win the Conference championship. I think we have the experience, talent and depth to do so. We’re ready to take our program to another level."