Women’s Basketball: Yay! Their season starts too!

By Jon Roe

The University of Calgary Dinos women’s basketball team opened the pre-season with two impressive victories over National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics schools this past weekend. They blacked out the Montana State University Northern Skylights 78-63 on Sat., Oct. 14 and sunk the University of Great Falls Argonauts Sun., Oct. 15 by a score of 86-73.

The Dinos outscored the ‘Lights 48-29 in the first half with 46 per cent shooting accuracy on 41 shots. The ‘Lights couldn’t seem to hit the basket, missing 15 of their 21 shots.

“I’m really happy with where we are at this point of the season,” said Dinos head coach Shawnee Harle. “Really, these games are an opportunity for us to get more game experience, simply because we’re better than both teams in every way, shape and form.”

Michelle Wilson led the Dinos, posting 12 points and 15 rebounds in 30 minutes of playing time.

Next up were the UGF Argonauts, and accuracy proved key for the Dinos again, as they sunk 20 of 36 shots in the first half and led the Argos by 55-37 at the buzzer.

The game finished in an 86-73 victory for the women’s b-ballasaurs.

“We’re going to be one of those teams that nobody wants to play,” said Harle. “We have a lot of different things we can throw at a team defensively. We’re deeper than we were last year.”

The Dinos head east to Ottawa for another warm-up tournament Oct. 20-22. The season begins Fri., Nov. 3 against the University of Victoria Vikes, followed by a game Sat., Nov. 4 against the University of British Columbia Thunderbirds.

“So far, I enjoy every minute with this group,” said Harle. “I’m excited to see how far we go this year.”

The first home games for the Dinos are Fri., Nov. 10 against the Simon Fraser University Clan and Sat., Nov. 11 against the Trinity Western University Spartans. Both games start at 6 p.m. in the Jack Simpson Gym. Entrance is free with student ID.