It’s a shame not every Dinos men’s basketball game can go into overtime. So far this season the Dinos have dominated in the extra frame. It’s their regulation game that could use some work.
A pair of weekend tilts at the Jack Simpson Gymnasium against the University of Lethbridge Pronghorns Jan. 4 and 5 were no exception to that rule.
Friday evening saw balanced scoring, disciplined play and a nice dose of last second heroics by the hometown Dinos. With four players in double figures, no one drawing more than three personal fouls and some timely baskets, the Dinos overcame horrendous shooting to earn an 88-84 victory. Rich Wiebach was dominant on the glass, collecting 15 rebounds, but the game was decided at the free throw line. The Dinos benefitted from 42 chances from the charity stripe, dwarfing the paltry 16 opportunities for the Pronghorns. Forward Andy Strodeur nearly matched Lethbridge’s total with 14 attempts on his own.
Saturday was a different story. The scoring was done primarily by guards Whit Hornsberger and John Riad, with 23 and 31 points respectively, but no other Dinos could break into double figures. In the end, the game belonged to the Pronghorns. After a fairly balanced first half, the men from Lethbridge dominated the second half, outscoring the hosts 55-41 en route to a convincing 98-85 victory.
The now 3-7 Dinos find themselves last in the Central Division and ninth in the Canada West Conference. But the playoffs are still a definite possibility, especially if the balance, discipline and consistency of Friday night can become the rule as opposed to the exception.