Box Score
CALGARY, AB – The University of Calgary Dinos women's basketball team rang in the new year with an emphatic 90-47 blowout win over the Mount Royal Cougars in 2024's first installation of the Crowchild Classic. 

Mount Royal forward Jenika Martens made her season debut Friday night after missing the entire 2022-23 season and the beginning of the current campaign due to a knee injury. The La Crête, Alta. product made her presence felt early with a steal, leading to a nifty layup.

Despite the significant addition of Martens, the Cougars were dominated by the U SPORTS fifth ranked Dinos. Calgary applied a suffocation full court press right from the opening tip causing MRU to struggle to advance the ball.

The Dinos went into the half up by 25 points, capped off by half court buzzer beater from Myriam Kone. The Cougars headed to the locker room desperately searching for a plan to fend off the intense pressure from their crosstown nemesis.

Although Calgary's lead continued to build up, they did not let up on the pressure into the second half. Dinos post Louise Rouse led her squad in scoring with 20 points on 66.7 per cent shooting from the field. 

The Dinos success stemmed from their ability to score off turnovers. Calgary posted a staggering 50 points off MRU's 33 turnovers.

Harriette Mackenzie registered team-highs of 11 points and nine rebounds as a bright spot for the Cougars. 

Ultimately, Calgary's full-game full court press guided them to victory, improving their record to 8-3. With the loss, Mount Royal moves to 6-5 in Canada West play.

The Cougars will look to bounce back on Saturday with a rematch against the Dinos at 5 p.m. at Kenyon Court in the annual Shoot for the Cure game in support of the Canadian Cancer Society. Fans can donate here.

Tickets to Saturday's rival-rematch can be purchased here or streamed live on CanadaWest TV.