Box Score Lethbridge - After picking up their first road-win of the season Friday night, the visiting Calgary Dinos used relentless full-court pressure and a balanced scoring attack to knock-off the Lethbridge Pronghorns 71-53 Saturday night and earn the series sweep.
The Dinos picked up where they left off last night, continuing their offensive surge and keeping the Pronghorns on their heels in the first quarter.
Calgary shot a blistering 66.7% from the field in the opening frame and kept a balanced attack with seven players getting on the board. The 'Horns matched Calgary's intensity early, fighting past the Dinos' full court press to generate some quality scoring chances and keep the game within reach.
Fourth-year Dinos guard Claire Colborne led all scorers with seven points as Calgary took a 22-15 into the break.
Lethbridge struggled to beat the Dino press and get their half-court offense set up early in the second quarter, failing to register a basket until four minutes into the quarter when Courtney Kwasney finally hit a jumper for the home side.
Both offenses sputtered in the second quarter as the Dinos went just 5-13 from the field to cool their hot shooting hand, while Lethbridge made only four baskets in the quarter. Canada West leading scorer Kim Veldman uncharacteristically failed to find the basket in the second quarter, settling for one free throw while still managing to lead the 'Horns with seven points going into halftime.
The visitors led 38-26 after two quarters. Colborne, the Dinos top scorer on the year, had a game high 13 points and four rebounds going into halftime.
The 'Horns offensive woes continued in the second half as their field-goal percentage dipped down to 36% and once again they went nearly four minutes before sinking a basket. The Dinos, on the other hand, used their deep bench to pull away from the 'Horns, outscoring the home team 17-9 in the third quarter to extend the lead to 20.
While both teams were careless with the ball through three quarters, it was the Dinos making the most of their opportunities, getting 19 points off of turnovers compared to just four for the Pronghorns.
Third-year guard Alexxia Barros started to find some room in the fourth quarter, driving to the lane and getting a couple of easy baskets to breathe some life into the 'Horns offense. Barros struggled at the free-throw line, however, hitting on just 3-8 from the charity stripe.
A better fourth-quarter effort wasn't enough for the Pronghorns as the visiting Dinos earned the weekend sweep with an easy 18-point victory.
Three Dinos hit double-figures on this night, led by Colborne who finished with 20 points and nine rebounds, while 4
th-year guards Kristie Sheils and Ashley Hirons chipped-in with 11 apiece.
Veldman led all Pronghorn scorers with 17 points on 7-18 shooting while pulling down six boards. Barros added 15 points for the 'Horns.
After a bye next weekend the Pronghorns head out on the road to take on the University of Victoria, while the Dinos will battle the Vikes in Calgary next weekend.