CALGARY – The University of Calgary Dinos women's basketball team improved to 5-0 to start the conference season Friday night, defeating the UFV Cascades (2-4) 61-35 with a decisive second-half effort during their home opener inside the Jack Simpson Gym. 

The opening quarter featured steady trading of baskets, with UFV trailing 14-13 after Bernie Leda's buzzer beater to end the first. The Dinos began to settle in during the second, led by perimeter scoring from Lilia Skumatova and inside finishes from Kourtney Oss and Emma Yarwood, building a 30–18 halftime lead.

The third quarter proved to be the difference, as the Dinos held the Cascades off the scoreboard for nearly the entire frame while generating consistent offense at the other end. Pollyanna Storie led the surge with a series of layups, mid-range jumpers, and a three-pointer, while Christine Geraldo and Amélie Collin facilitated well in transition. Calgary limited the visitors to just two points in the entire quarter, extending their lead to 50-20 after three, firmly in control of this one.

The Cascades responded with improved shooting in the fourth, including threes from Kalie Saari, Ashlyn Adams, and Charley Arnold, but it wasn't enough as the Dinos coasted to the win. 

Storie finished the night with 17 points, leading Calgary in scoring. Meanwhile, Kalie Saari had nine points for UFV, and Leda had eight. 

The two teams are right back at it Saturday at 3 p.m PT for the rematch. The game can be seen live on Canada West TV.

- with files from Rodrigo Verney; Dinos Communications -