by Wayne Thomas

Jan. 19

The Brandon Bobcats hit for 33 fourth quarter points and snatched the big showdown game of Division leaders 81-77 in the Wheat City Saturday. Dany Charlery, the 6′3″ scorer took an incredible 32 shots for the night, and he lit up the Dinos for 18 pts. in the final frame to help the ‘Cats overcome a 70-66 Calgary advantage with 4 minutes left. Charlery had 38 for the game, and, coupled with the home team’s dominance on the boards against the bigger Dinos, it gave Brandon their 9th straight win at home and a Canada West leading 14-2 record.

Calgary drops to 13-3, and will try and take lessons from this match-up over to a possible re-match, which might well take place in Calgary, if both teams are successful in making the Final Four in early March. The big guns for Calgary were quiet in the first half with only 7 pts. in quarter 1, and 20 more in the 2nd, which put them down 10 at the break. With the big boys stalled out, the coaches called upon Jeremy Odland and Josh Lovestone to get the team going in the second half, and, after Tyler Fidler dunked over Brandon’s Yuri Whyms and counted the foul shot, Calgary had a 20-2 run and the lead for the first time.

The teams traded hoops until the final few minutes, when Charlery completed his work, and the Brandon experience trumped the Calgary comeback. On the night, 4 Bobcats ( Yul Michel -10, Tarik Tokar - 12, Whyms - 10) and 5 Dinos ( Jeff Price- 12, Henry Bekkering - 13, Cody Darrah - 12, Tyler Fidler - 13, and Ross Bekkering - 11) were in double figures. Price added 10 assists, once again recording a double double, as did Ross with 10 boards. Brandon had 46 rebounds including 19 on the offensive glass, while Calgary had 37 total.

In the final half Calgary out-scored Brandon 50-44, but the home team stepped up for the win, and the Dinos know they will have to be better if they are to beat Brandon in any playoff bout.

Notes …
Fidler left the game when he was dumped on a dunk attempt in the 4th quarter, and did not return, although he is apparently ok.

With 19 Calgary turnovers to 12 for Brandon and with the rebound advantage, Brandon took 83 shots to only 66 for the Dinos, whose 44% - 36% was better from the field, but just gave the Cats too many chances.

Calgary returns home next weekend for a Friday game with Fraser Valley and a Saturday test against Thompson Rivers. They are also at home Feb. 1st and 2nd against Winnipeg and Manitoba, then they finish the regular season on the road in Saskatoon against the Huskies.