Josh Tevlin; Dinos Communications
CALGARY – The University of Calgary Dinos mounted a second half comeback to sweep the home-and-home series with the University of Lethbridge Pronghorns after a 76-69 win Saturday night in the Jack Simpson Gym.
This game was characterized by inconsistent play from both sides. Both teams had times during this game in which they led by double digit points, and the match was filled with sloppy offence which showed through in each team's turnover totals. The Pronghorns concluded the game with a concerning 26 turnovers, and the Dinos followed closely with 19 turnovers. Regardless of inconsistent play, Calgary managed to hold the lead for 62.4 per cent of the game and come away with their seventh consecutive win, improving to 9-3 on the season. Lethbridge falls to 5-5 heading into the December break.
The Dinos came out strong in the opening minutes, outscoring their provincial rivals 12-4. Sascha Lichtenwald took control early with two steals and seven points just two minutes into the game. The Pronghorns countered with an effective full court press that resulted in six turnovers for Calgary early in the game.
The second quarter was dominated by Lethbridge. The visiting Pronghorns outscored the Dinos 21-8 and took a 37-27 lead going into the half. Asides from a stretch of three consecutive blocks from Bobbi Jo Colburn, the Dinos were unable to hold the Pronghorns defensively in the second quarter.
Calgary managed to turn things around at half time and dominate the third quarter of this game with 22 points to Lethbridge's nine. The Dinos managed to clean up their offence and limit their third quarter turnovers to just one.
The Pronghorns managed to tie the game early in the final quarter but impressive Dinos three-point shooting reignited Calgary's offence. The Dinos shot 50 per cent from beyond the arc in the fourth quarter and held off the Pronghorns until the final buzzer.
"I think we had an exhausted group," stated Dinos Head Coach Damian Jennings. "We've had a tough run, six weekends back to back, so I'm proud of us that we were able to pull that out."
Sascha Lichtenwald led the Dinos with 22 points on an efficient four of six three-point shooting. Bobbi Jo Colburn added four blocks on the defensive end.
Kacie Bosch led Lethbridge with 21 points and Danielle Fritzke trailed closely with 19 points.
After the Christmas break, Calgary will face the Mount Royal Cougars in the Crowchild Classic series. The first game is Thursday, Jan. 3 on MRU's Kenyon Court, with the return match Jan. 5 in the Jack Simpson Gym.
Lethbridge returns to action Jan. 4-5 with a two-game series against the first-place Saskatchewan Huskies in Saskatoon.
-UC-
Photo by David Moll