Travelling woes for men’s basketball

By Esther E. Steeves

Last weekend was a stormy one for the Dinos men’s basketball team, and not just because of the snow.


The Dinos were welcomed in Regina Thu., Jan. 29 by the arrival of a major blizzard which caused the postponement of Friday night’s game until Saturday afternoon.


"We prepared for Friday," said Assistant Head Coach Wayne Thomas. "[The storm] was a distraction; we played like it was a distraction.


The Dinos barely scraped by, winning 81-79 against the University of Regina Cougars. John Riad racked up an impressive 25 points in the victory, followed by Surrinder Grewal with 14.


Immediately following the game, the team boarded a bus for the four-hour drive to Brandon, giving them less than 24 hours rest. On Sunday, the Dinos suffered a disappointing 85-74 loss to the Brandon University Bobcats. Whatever momentum had been built up at the beginning of the weekend was gone, although Whit Hornsberger managed to lead the Dinos with 23 points.


"We ran into a hyped-up team," said Thomas. "It was probably their best game of the season. They’re a tough opponent."


Playing on the road and coming down from the previous weekend’s high after sweeping the University of Alberta Golden Bears in Edmonton was partly to blame for the loss. Fan presence and questionable officiating were also cited. In the end, however, it all came down to a lack of intensity and fatigue.


The team must win its final four games to finish the season in first place. If their record is tied with U of A’s, they will still come out on top since the team’s record against the Bears is 3-1. That makes the Feb. 6-7 home games versus the University of Lethbridge Prong-horns all the more important.


"Despite their record, Lethbridge has played tough, close games," said Thomas. "Sharpening our focus is the issue this week. If we win, we stay in first place."