CALGARY – In the first half of a home-and-home set, the Lethbridge Pronghorns pushed the second-ranked Calgary Dinos to the brink but couldn't hand the Dinos their first loss of the season, falling 72-66 in a high contested game Thursday night at the Jack Simpson Gym.
 
The Dinos (11-0) remain atop the Canada West standings while the Pronghorns fall to 6-7.
 
The Pronghorns set the pace for the start of the night before the Dinos took control with a 10-3 run partway through the opening quarter. A handful of free throws allowed Lethbridge to finish the quarter on top 21-17.
 
Despite allowing eight turnovers and six steals, Calgary finished the first half with a one-point lead. The Dinos outrebounded the Pronghorns 17-8 in the second quarter and drained a trio of three-point shots, while Lethbridge went empty beyond the arch.
 
Pronghorns senior guard Kate Keith led all players with 10 points in the first half, while Liene Stalidzane countered with eight for Calgary.
 
Fifth-year wing Erin McIntosh provided 10 of the 16 points scored by the Dinos in the third quarter as the home team tried to build some separation on the scoreboard. Lethbridge finished off the quarter with 13 points, only two of which were field goals, both scored by fifth-year Pronghorn Kacie Bosch.
 
The Pronghorns completed an 11-2 run partway through the final quarter to bring the score even at 57-57. They eventually took a one-point lead with 1:11 left – but Calgary quickly retook the lead on a jumper by Stalidzane, followed by eight successful free throws to put the game out of reach.
 
After a dynamic second half, McIntosh led the Dinos with 22 points and nine rebounds, while Stalidzane finished the night with 13 points and three three-pointers.
 
Both Bosch and Keith earned double-doubles, with Bosch collecting 22 points and Keith scoring 14, and each earning 11 rebounds apiece.
 
 
The Dinos and Pronghorns will head to Lethbridge for a rematch on Saturday, Jan. 11 at 5 p.m. at the 1^st Choice Savings Centre.