Olivia Krol, Dinos Communications Assistant
CALGARY - The University of Calgary women's basketball team went on a 25 point lead in the final quarter of the game on Saturday night at Jack Simpson Gymnasium, defeating the University of Lethbridge Pronghorns, 72-47.
The University of Calgary continued to extend their lead in the second quarter as Anmol Mattu scored the first three points of the quarter, after which Michal Assaf and Brianna Ghali joined the party with a nice jump shot and layup, respectively. Assaf also netted back-to-back free throws, after which Mozanga Ekwalanga hit a three-point jump with only a minute left, sending the teams to the locker room with the Dinos holding a major, 39-16 lead.
Entering the third quarter, the girls showed no sign of slowing down, up-keeping a 29 point lead; throughout, Colburn drilled her second and third three-pointer of the game, while both Ghali and Lauren Seabrook were also key contributors.
For majority of the fourth quarter, the game remained a one-possession game with the Dinos offense continuing to showcase their strength. Shinelle Handziuk started the scoring, and was quickly followed by Ghali and Ekwalanga.
Ghali led the Dinos with 20 points, boasting a 9-17 from behind the arc and four assists. Colburn added 11 points in yet another stellar game, going 3-3 in three-pointers, while also adding five rebounds and one assist.
Seabrook had eight points with five rebounds, while Ekwalanga added seven points, three rebounds and one three-pointer.
For the game, the Dinos completely dominated the contest as they grabbed a note-worthy 48.3% in field goals, 32% success in three-pointers, and a 67% success in free throws. Importantly, both teams had 26 turnovers, with the Dinos holding an edge in terms of assists, 12-4.
Head coach Damian Jennings was clearly pleased with the performance, especially as it compared to the game played Thursday. "Given how we performed [at Lethbridge] earlier this week, it was great to start off with the ruthless tone that we did. Still some growing is needed, but we weren't as stale and static as we were throughout the last game. We were able to get out there and run and get some layups and three-pointers. One major factor for us now is further working on team chemistry on-court; in the first quarter we were magnificent, but it continues to be a thing we must work on."
The Dinos will next face the Mount Royal Cougars at Kenyon Court on Thursday, December 1st, and return to Jack Simpson Arena on the Saturday after.