What happens when you cross a pack of wolves with a Dinosaur? Apparently, you just get a Dinosaur that is a little less hungry. The Dinos women’s basketball team paid a visit to the Thompson Rivers University WolfPack Jan. 27-28 and came home with a belly full of laurels.
“I really like where we are right now,” head coach Shawnee Harle explained. “But I still think that we’ve got a little bit more improvements left in us. I would expect to see those coming out in the next two to four weeks.”
The Dinos came out with the vigor of the sun on Friday, jumping to an 8-0 lead in the first two minutes of the game. While keeping the WolfPack to no points would be almost impossible, the Dinos did continue to expand their lead. By halftime, the Dinos were up 48-32. The domination continued in the second half, putting the final score at 89-64.
Michelle Willson shot 72.7 per cent from the field for a game-high 20 points and added nine boards while Tanya Hautala added 18 points and four steals. Courtney Coyle amazed and astounded the crowd with a double-double 10 points and 12 rebounds. Katherine Adams added 10 points.
“It’s a great group of people to work with. And not just the girls, everyone associated with the team,” said Coyle of the Dinos, noting that their hard work is paying off.
If Friday’s game was impressive, you’d better take a seat before you continue reading. Saturday’s match saw the Dinos more than double the WolfPack’s halftime score at 59-27. However amusing it would have been to see them keep up that pace for a 118-54 win, the stars were just not properly aligned. But the Dinos did continue to out-score TRU for a 101-63 blow out.
The Dinos shot 61.4 per cent from the field to the WolfPack’s 39 per cent and 56.5 per cent from beyond the arc to the Pack’s 22.2 per cent. The Dinos also proved how deep the team is, with Lindsay Maundrell and Brianna Orr scoring 26 and 23 points respectively. Hautala continued to shine with 16 points while Coyle posted another double-double with 10 points and 11 boards.
“It was nice to play and contribute,” said Orr.
The Dinos attempt to continue their domination on the road as they visit the University of Lethbridge Pronghorns Fri., Feb. 3 and return home for a rematch Sat., Feb. 4. The home game takes place in the Jack at 6 p.m.
“We’re expecting to play like we’ve been practicing,” Coyle explained. “Hopefully it will work out like is should.”
The following weekend, the Dinos visit the University of Saskatchewan Huskies, the division leader. Harle is one who has high hopes for the upcoming games.
“It’s in our own hands. We can still finish first without help from anybody,” she said without any hint of doubt. “At this point in the season, with first at stake, we’ll be ready.”