CALGARY - A furious second half comeback attempt by the UBC Okanagan Heat men's basketball team fell just short as they dropped Friday's season-opening match to the Calgary Dinos 90-83.

After a tight first quarter, the host Dinos pulled away in the second and held a 17 point lead, 48-31, after 20 minutes of play.

Getting on the offensive glass in the second half, the Heat grabbed 15 of their 23 offensive rebounds leading to 22 second-chance points to power their comeback attempt. UBCO was able to close the 17-point first half deficit to as little as two points in the final minutes of the match.

The barrage on the boards was led by UBCO's Imoudu Ibrahim, of Calgary, Alta. who snagged a career-high 15 rebounds, including eight on the offensive side.

However, the comeback would fall just short thanks to some late-game heroics from Ezeoha Santiago of Oakville, Ont.

TOP PERFORMERS
Jalen Shirley - UBCO
The shifty second-year guard from Brampton, Ont., poured in a team-high 16 points in the loss, adding four boards and a pair of assists.

Ezeoha Santiago - Calgary
The senior from Oakville, Ont., led his Dinos with 20 points, scoring back-to-back baskets when the game was closest in the fourth quarter. He also recorded three rebounds, three assists and three steals in the win.

WHERE THEY SIT
The Dinos' season opening win puts them at 1-0 for the year while the Heat start their season at 0-1.

UP NEXT
The Heat and the Dinos rematch tomorrow at 5 p.m. in Calgary. Fans can catch the game live on Canada West TV.