Remember when you were a kid and you used to cover your eyes during scary movies? Remember how you would always leave some space between your fingers on the off chance it all worked out in the end? When you were a kid, the good guys always won. Sadly, movies are only movies and life can be so very cruel.
After a promising opening weekend split with the University of
Alberta Golden Bears, the top team in the nation, the Dinos men’s basketball team stumbled in their first four road games of the season. After splitting a pair of hard-fought battles with the University of Lethbridge Pronghorns Nov. 9-10, the Dinos set off to Saskatoon to do battle with the then 1-3 University of Saskatchewan Huskies.
On Fri., Nov. 16, a mammoth game by the always-gritty Andy Strodeur, who contributed 26 points and 11 rebounds, was overshadowed by the team’s 75-72 loss. John Riad also chipped in 20 points, but the weak link on this evening was the usually prolific Whit Hornsberger, held to a mere 10 points in 39 minutes on 3 of 14 shooting. Hornsberger also took an ill-advised technical foul late in the game, stifling a potential Dinos comeback.
The Dinos took to the hardcourt again Saturday night, seeking redemption. Strodeur followed up on his big night Friday with a huge 23 point, 16 rebound effort while Hornsberger bounced back with a stellar 31-point night. However, in the end it wasn’t enough, as the Dinos dropped their second game in as many nights, 97-92 in overtime.
In a travesty almost too large for words, Andy Strodeur was overlooked for Canada West men’s basketball player of the week. His stats were vastly superior to recipient Tyler Wright of the Regina Cougars. Strodeur must be commended for the job he does down low in the absence of Wes Jickling and Chris Harris.
A tough four game stretch where all the losses were by less than 10 points, the 2-4 Dinos now return to the Jack Nov. 23-24 for a pair of games against the University of British Columbia Thunderbirds this weekend, also 2-4.