Peter James, UNBC Communications
PRINCE GEORGE, B.C. - The University of Calgary Dinos used a long-range attack to open the Canada West women's basketball regular season with a victory, defeating the University of Northern British Columbia Timberwolves 80-55 at the Charles Jago Northern Sport Centre on Friday night.
The Dinos launched 30 three-point attempts, connecting on 13 of them, as they led wire-to-wire against a Timberwolves team looking to build off their first playoff appearance last season.
Bobbi Jo Colburn led the way for Calgary with 16 points, with 14 of those coming in the first half. Brianna Ghali chipped in with 13 and Anmol Mattu, Katie Upton and Shannon Hatch all reached double digits.
"The season opener is always a really great time," said Dinos guard Erin McIntosh, noting the Dinos balanced attack helped them on Friday. "It's a great way to start off the season for us."
At the other end of the court, the Timberwolves dynamic duo of Vasiliki Louka (17 points) and Maria Mongomo (11 points) continued to pace the UNBC attack.
Louka did most of her damage from the charity stripe, hitting 11 o her 12 free-throw attempts.
"I think we came out a little flat in the first half," second-year UNBC forward Madison Landry said. "Ultimately the thing we need to do more is put more pressure on the ball and make our presence felt on defence.
The Dinos stormed out to an early lead on the strength of five-of-seven three point shooting in the opening quarter, with four different Calgary players connecting from outside.
Colburn led the long distance attack, going four-for-five from three-point range in the first half as the Dinos took a 49-31 lead into the break.
Calgary hit nine of the 16 first-half three-point attempts and were 13 of 21 beyond the arc after three quarters.
The two teams meet again on Saturday night at the Northern Sport Centre, tip off is 5 p.m.
Landry said with some adjustments, the Timberwolves can turn the tables in the rematch.
"I think as long as we put some pieces together we can get a different result on Saturday," she said.