EDMONTON - It took a dozen years, but a Dino finally cracked the 40-point barrier.
Fifth-year senior Henry Bekkering was simply otherworldly Friday night at the University of Alberta Main Gym, throwing down 41 points in the No. 4 Dinos' 99-92 win over their archrivals in front of more than 1600 boisterous fans.
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The outburst was the first 40-point performance by a Calgary player since Navi Sekhon scored 53 on Jan. 18, 1997 on the road at Saskatchewan, and it improved on Bekkering's previous career high of 39, which he hit in early 2008 against Lethbridge. And he did it in just 30 minutes on the floor.
The two teams have nothing to play for in the standings, as Calgary has already clinched first place and a first round playoff bye in the Central Division, while Alberta holds firm in second place. Calgary, with the win, improves their season record to 17-4, while the Bears bump down to 12-9.
Although the game had no bearing on the standings or the playoffs, the teams treated it as any other Battle of Alberta, giving the fans plenty to cheer about during a high-tempo run-and-gun affair.
Calgary in particular put on a show as the "Amazing Bekkering Brothers" put on their brand of high-flying circus basketball, punctuated by two alley-oop dunks by eldest brother Henry.
Ross Bekkering, a fourth year to Henry's fifth year, managed the Tim Horton's special, scoring 18 points and collecting 10 rebounds for the double-double.
The two teams were neck and neck at 24-24 after 10 minutes, as Alberta showed they could keep pace with the fourth-ranked Dinos.
However, Calgary greatly upped that pace in the second quarter, as they began to get comfortable and find their rhythm.
Henry was a force for the Dinos in the first half, knocking back points like they were Pez candies. The big forward from Taber, Alta. had 13 points through 10 minutes and 24 after 20 minutes. His previous season best for the 2008-09 campaign was 28, a number he easily eclipsed in the third quarter with a dunk.
Calgary, however, was guilty of allowing the Bears to hang around and not only was Alberta happy to be still around, they made a game of it, despite trailing by as much as 16 mid-way through the third quarter.
Fourth year shooting guard C.G. Morrison, who had 12 first half points and was 2-3 from three-point range, had an electric second half, banking 18 points and several near misses. The Victoria native picked up a steal with seconds left on the third quarter clock and unleashed a hurried half-court shot that sailed wide. He also drained two deuces that would have went for three had his toes not been creeping on the arc. He finished the night with a team high 30 points, shooting 11-13 from the field, 5-6 from outside and a perfect 3-3 from the charity stripe.
Foul line shots were a definite difference, as well, as the Dinos shot 33 attempts to Alberta's 12.
After watching Bekkering senior throw down three dunks, including a beauty baseline alley-oop job, Alberta's big man, fifth year Justin VanLoo, delivered one for the Main Gym faithful early in the fourth. Unfortunately, minutes later VanLoo fouled out, ending his night at 16 points, five rebounds and two assists.
With the crowd ramping up, Morrison simply kept connecting on long-distance calls as the Bears inched closer and closer to a tie score.
In the end, Calgary disconnected his line and the nearest Alberta got to a level playing field was a four point gap and eventually the Dinos sealed the deal at 99-92.
Robbie Sihota had 12 points for the Dinos, while Dustin Reding had a career-high 10 points off the bench for Calgary as well. Point guard Jamie McLeod was steady on the back end for Calgary, doling out eight assists on the night.
Harvey Bradford put up 18 and Neb Alexic added 12 for the Golden Bears, who honoured longtime coach Don Horwood prior to the game. Horwood, a 26-year veteran and one of the winningest coaches in CIS history, will retire following the season.
The two teams will go again tomorrow night, with tip-off at 8 p.m.
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