CIS Hoops.ca

Dunking Dutchman Dominates in Dinos Win... from Wayne Thomas... Henry Bekkering looked a little off his game in the first half, and the Dinos frittered away a 5 point lead in the final minutes to trail 44 - 39 at the break. Much muttering in the stands as the teams started the second half ... would the Dinos shake their lethargy? ... would Neb Aleksic keep hitting threes for Alberta? ... could the Dinos maintain their perfect record on their home court and capture game one of the Central Division Final? The answers would come quickly, and with a big exclamation mark from Bekkering as he was on fire in leading Calgary to a 30-14 run in the 3rd quarter, including a couple of scintillating dunks enroute to a game-high 27 points. Bekkering attacked the Bears defense with power, and went to the line for 8/10 free throws as Alberta defenders had a tough time keeping any rein on the muscular 4th year forward. Henry's brother Ross came back for this first playoff game after having missed the last five games in league play because of injury, and he may have scored the key hoop of the game on a turnaround at the buzzer to end the 3rd quarter. His conversion of the old fashioned 3 pt. play gave Calgary a 9 point margin heading into the last quarter, and Ross finished his impressive work for the night with 15 points, 6 rebounds, and 5 big blocks. Robbie Sihota again had a double-double with 17 points to go with 10 boards, and Henry Bekkering also grabbed 10 rebounds even though Alberta won the battle on the glass
42-38. The Bears turned the ball over an uncharacteristic 24 times, as Jeff Price with 5 steals, and Tyler Fidler and Sihota with 3, frustrated the Alberta offense in the second half. Aleksic and Alex Steele were the leading point getters for the visitors with 20 each, with Steele adding 6 assists, and Aleksic 8 rebounds.
Two of Alberta's key players, 5th year forwards Andrew Parker and Richard Bates were held to only 4 points each, as Calgary took the initiative away from the Bears with a more attacking style. The best of three series resumes tomorrow in Calgary with the Dinos now one win away from hosting the Canada West Final Four. Game time is 7:00 pm at the Jack Simpson Gym. Notes ... In Brandon, the Regina Cougars shocked the CIS #2 ranked Bobcats 87-85 thrwarting a furious Brandon comeback attempt as Paul Gareau hit for 31 points for the Cougars. Braandon must win Saturday to extend the best of three to a deciding game Sunday.
Suggestion to the event staff for U of C ... get more ticket sellers ... how about roving sellers with aprons like 50/50 sales ? How about anything but the long lineups suffered by many fans, who wound up missing much of the first quarter?
Price for Calgary and Steele for Alberta were the iron-men on the night, as they logged 39 and 38 minutes respectively. Cody Darrah, the 5th year Dinos guard, who transferred to Calgary from the Bears for his last 3 seasons, played a steady game with 8 points, 2 assists, 2 steals, and was 2/4 from 3 pt. range. The attendance was approximately 1800.

Game Review by Mark Wacyk The Dinos used a 30-16 third quarter run to erase a five point halftime deficit and defeat the Bears in Calgary. 6'8" Henry Bekkering led the Dinos, who clearly won the battles inside, with 27 points and 10 rebounds, while 6'6" Robbi Sihota added 17 points and Ross Bekkering 15. "Calgary completely dominated us inside tonight and we need a much better effort from our bigs if we are to turn things around tonight", commented Alberta Head Coach Don Horwood. "They pounded the ball inside tonight and we turned it over too much at key points in the third quarter to have a chance to win." After 6'2" Alex Steele (20 points, 8 rebounds) stole a long inbounds pass and fed 6'1" C.G. Morrison for a buzzer-beating three pointer to end the first half, Alberta led by 5 and had the momentum. But Calgary reestablished their inside presence early in the third quarter and then the Bears turned the ball over on 4 consecutive possessions midway through the quarter, allowing the Dinos to take the lead for good. While 6'5" Neb Aleskic had a terrific shooting game with 20 points, Alberta's front line of 6'3" Justin Vanloo, 6'10" Richard Bates and 6'8" Harvey Bradford combined for only 10 points and 12 rebounds on the night. Calgary can wrap up the Central division title and a date next week to host the Canada West Final Four with a win either tonight or tomorrow over the Bears.