CALGARY – The Trinity Western women's basketball team could not overcome a poor second quarter as the Calgary Dinos defeated the Spartans 95-72 Friday night at the Jack Simpson Gym in Calgary. The Dinos used a 34-16 advantage in second quarter points to gain the victory and move to the 5-4, while the dropping the Spartans to 4-5. 

Rebounding and three-point shooting were also significant in determining the outcome between the two teams in this evenings contest. The Dinos finished the night with a 55-35 rebounding advantage over the Spartans, including 21-13 in offensive boards. Calgary was also the better team from behind the arc as they shot 46.2 per cent (12-26) to Trinity Western's 28.6 per cent (4-14). 

"Tonight's game wasn't unlike last week's Friday game against Brandon where we gave our opponent a 10 minute stretch with every opportunity to score - when you let your opponent score 34 points in the second quarter you are going to have to do tremendous things to get back in the game and that was the situation we found ourselves in," commented TWU head coach Cheryl Jean-Paul. "Calgary did a great job of knocking down their open looks, attacking the rim and crashing the boards - we know they are going to score but we have to show more effort taking away the predictable looks in a more concentrated fashion and making more of a physical statement protecting the basket." 

"We look forward to making adjustments and defending better both individually and collectively tomorrow while still being able to recreate some of the great team scores we finished tonight. To be able to score in the 70's is something to be proud of and I thought Chantelle, Kayla, Laurissa and Kris attacked very well with their looks," added Jean-Paul. "These games are great opportunities for us to rise to the challenge of a team that hasn't lost at home yet, and see how we respond to the adversity presented to us by a well-constructed group in the Dinos." 

Second year forward Kayla Gordon (Prince George, B.C.) with 15 points and five rebounds, fifth year guard Chantelle Martin with 14 points and third year forward Kristin Ford with 13 points and six rebounds led the Spartans, while Jessica Thielen with 16 points and 10 rebounds, Claire Colborne with 14 points and seven rebounds, Kristie Sheils with 13 points and Clarise Jennings with 12 points and five rebounds led the Dinos. 

The first quarter was a game of matching scoring runs. The Dinos would pull ahead and the Spartans would catch with the end of the first 10 minutes showing Calgary up four points, 19-15. 

Calgary changed the game in the second quarter. The Dinos had multiple runs and would finish the first half with a sizable 22 point lead, 53-31. 

The Spartans would outscore the Dinos in the third quarter, 22-21, but were unable to cut into the deficit as they trailed 74-53 heading into the final quarter. 

The two teams will match up again tomorrow afternoon at 5 p.m. MST, when the Dinos and the Spartans will conclude the first half of the Canada West season. 

Game Notes: TWU finished the night with 17 turnovers, while Calgary finished with 16…the Dinos had nine steals to the Spartans eight…the Spartans went 14-22 from the foul line to the Dinos 13-18…TWU also finished at 39.7 per cent (27-68) from the field, while Calgary finished at 44.9 per cent (35-78)… 

-TW-