Dinos post big second half for win vs Axemen

WOLFVILLE, N.S. – The visiting Calgary Dinos handed the basketball Axemen a 93-71 loss in a Sunday afternoon exhibition matchup.

Acadia came out strong in the first quarter, putting up 21 points to gain a 1 point advantage over the Dinos after the first frame.

The second quarter started on a similar pace at the first, but as time went on, Calgary began to find their rhythm against an Acadia squad that struggled to make their three-point attempts all game.

The Axemen saw 15 of their 28 fouls come in the first half, giving up 20 points from the free-throw line.

Fouls and turnovers started to add up for the Axemen, and the Dinos took the lead 46-38 after 20 minutes of play.

Dino Brett Layton (Calgary, Alta.) appeared to hurt his arm halfway through the third quarter, but he stayed on the court and went on to record 12 points and 12 rebounds, posting the game's only double-double.

The Dinos kept up their consistent play in the third quarter and pushed out to a 65-56 lead going into the final frame.

With 7:17 left in the game, the Axemen began what appeared to be a comeback and found themselves within two points of the Dinos. In response, the Dinos went on a run of their own, and after only a minute, were back in a comfortable 10-point lead.

Despite their best efforts, the Axemen could not complete their comeback. The final score read 93-71 in favour of the Dinos.

The Dinos dominated the boards and securing the ball with 42 rebounds and forcing 20 Acadia turnovers that led to 27 points.

Mambi Diawara (Montreal, Que.) of the Dinos and Trevon Grant (Wolfville, N.S.) of the Axemen each had spectacular performances, dominating up and down the court. Both Diawara and Grant were named Subway Players of the Game.

First year Axeman Marcus Upshaw and Nick De Palma added 11 points for the losing cause.

After going 4-2 in preseason play, the Axemen get a break before the regular season kicks off for them on November 1 when they visit Saint Mary's University.

The University of Calgary Dinos head back home to host the Brock Badgers on Sunday afternoon.

Submitted by Theodore Giesen, Acadia Athletics Communications Office