VICTORIA, B.C. – The University of Victoria Vikes women's basketball team fell to the visiting Calgary Dinos in the first game of a double-header series at home on Nov. 20.  Three Dinos seniors dealt double digits to allow Calgary to drop the Vikes 81-72 and improve to a 4-1 record, while Victoria are now 1-4 in the Canada West Pioneer Division.

BOX SCORE
 
The Vikes were led by fourth-year forward Jenna Bugiardini, who posted a double-double of 16 points and 10 rebounds. Second-year guard Amira Giannattasio also got on the board for 16 points, while fourth-year forward Nicole Karstein chipped in with 14 points and nine rebounds.
 
Leading the Dinos was fifth-year guard, Claire Colborne, who had a double-double of 20 points and 14 rebounds. Fellow fifth year Kristie Sheils and fourth-year forward Emma Nieuwenhuizen rounded out the scoreboard, adding 15 and 14 points, respectively.
 
The Vikes started off hot in scoring going on to lead the entire first quarter.  Shooting 100 percent from behind the arc and 60 percent from the field, the Vikes were led by Giannattasio's eight points as the Vikes lead the Dinos 23-14 entering the second.
 
At the beginning of the second quarter, three back-to-back three pointers by Calgary's Nieuwenhuizen brought the Dinos within two points and back on track. Nieuwenhuizen, who did not have a single shot drop in the first turned the game around for Calgary with her momentum. The fourth-year forward posted 14 points in the second-quarter to help Calgary capture a 44-40 lead at halftime.  
 
In the third, an offensive burst by Karstein brought the Vikes back within one point of the Dinos. Although both teams had runs at both ends, the Calgary duo of Colborne and Sheils commanded the floor to maintain the vistors' lead. Going into the final quarter, the Vikes trailed the Dinos by five points, 61-56.
 
Calgary struggled with the execution of their offence at the beginning of the final quarter, allowing the Vikes to capitalize. Back-to-back jump shots by Gallagher and successful free throws created a one-point game but Colborne answered to the Vikes' run with a trey from long range. A three by Calgary's Anmol Mattu followed by a jumper by Kelsey Lund pushed the Dinos' lead to seven points with just two minutes left.
 
The game intensified as Bugiardini was fouled at the other end in the last minute of play. Keeping her composure, Bugiardini added five points to bring the game down to a two-point margin. Calgary did not hesitate with their own responses and with the Vikes unable to post key shots, Calgary sealed the game 81-72.
 
The Vikes and Dinos will close out women's basketball home games in Victoria for 2015 tomorrow, Nov. 21, with both teams tipping off again at 5:00 p.m. at the CARSA Performance Gym. The game will be streamed live at canadawest.tv. Both teams wrap up their season next week, Nov. 27-28, with the Vikes on the road at Lethbridge and Calgary visiting UBC.
 
SCORING BY QUARTER
CGY: 14-30-17-20: 81
UVIC: 23-17-16-16: 72
 
SCORING LEADERS
CGY: Emma Nieuwenhuizen (14), Claire Colborne (20), Kristie Sheils (15)
UVIC: Amira Giannattasio (16), Jenna Bugiardini (16), Nicole Karstein (12)