Dinos Women's Basketball Claims U SPORTS Bronze with Fourth-Quarter Surge
In a thrilling conclusion to their season, the University of Calgary Dinos women's basketball team secured the U SPORTS bronze medal with a 66-59 victory over host Laval at the Desjardins Amphitheatre in Quebec City. The win was highlighted by a dominant fourth-quarter performance from guard Kourtney Oss, who propelled the team to finish their Final 8 run on a high note.
Game Highlights and Key Performances
The match remained closely contested throughout, but Calgary gained momentum with a 13-0 run in the second quarter, maintaining the lead thereafter. Oss delivered an outstanding all-around game, scoring a game-high 18 points on 8-13 shooting and grabbing an incredible 20 rebounds. This marked only the fifth time in Dinos history that a player has recorded 20 or more rebounds in a single game. Oss also contributed three steals, three assists, and two blocks, showcasing her versatility on the court.
Christine Geraldo added 14 points and six rebounds for Calgary, while Pollyanna Storie, in her final game, scored 13 points in just 12 minutes. The senior class, including Sydney Milum, Storie, and Amelie Collin, ended their careers with a medal, adding emotional weight to the victory.
Coach and Player Reactions
Dinos head coach Sarah Besselink expressed immense pride in her team's effort. "I'm very proud of this team," Besselink said. "The theme today was 'empty the tank' – give it everything you've got. X's and O's wise, it's a tight turnaround, so really it was just who wanted it more and luckily we came out on top."
Fifth-year guard Amelie Collin echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the team's resilience. "We showed a lot of character today after a tough semifinal yesterday," Collin noted. "It would have been easy to just hang our heads and not show up, but truly, everyone came in ready to compete. The intensity, the effort and the way we defended together reflects the identity we've built together as a team."
Strategic Adjustments and Defensive Prowess
Calgary's defense proved crucial, especially in the second half. After Laval hit seven three-pointers in the first half, the Dinos adjusted their strategy, limiting the Rouge et Or to just 1-17 from beyond the arc in the final 20 minutes. This defensive shift stifled Laval's offense and secured the win.
Besselink highlighted Oss's impact in the fourth quarter, where she scored 11 points, grabbed six rebounds, and made key defensive plays. "They just didn't really have a matchup for her," Besselink explained. "She is a very tough matchup. Isolating her at the elbow, slowing things down and telling her to go to work ended up working."
Historical Significance and Season Recap
This bronze medal marks the first U SPORTS medal for the Dinos women's basketball program since 2001, when they also claimed bronze. The victory caps off a remarkable season where the team went 16-4 in conference play and 28-5 overall, winning their first Canada West title since 2001 and finishing the year with 10 wins in their last 11 games.
For Laval, Sabrine Khelifi was named player of the game, leading her team with 14 points, nine rebounds, five assists, and three steals. Despite the loss, Laval's spirited effort kept the game competitive until the final moments.
The Dinos' triumph not only celebrates a successful season but also honors the legacy of their senior players, who leave the program on a high note with a hard-earned medal.
