The University of Calgary men’s basketball team fell just short in their quest for a national championship banner at the Canadian Interuniversity Sport National Championships in Halifax, NS.

The Dinos’ Final 10 run stalled just two points shy of the gold-medal game with a painful 69-67 loss to the top-seed and eventual champion Carleton University Ravens.

“ I am very proud of our team and the effort that they gave throughout the tournament,” says Dinos Head Coach Dan Vanhooren who has transformed his team into a national powerhouse since his arrival in May 2000. “With a couple of bounces our way, we win the semifinal.”

Against Carleton, the 2003 Canada West Conference Champions suffered an irreparable blow when lead guard and All-Canadian John Riad suffered a separated shoulder midway through the first half of the game. With their leading scorer on the sidelines, the Dinos had to rely on scoring-by-committee and fell just short against the defending national champs.

“ I am disappointed that John Riad had to finish his last game from the bench as a result of injury,” Vanhooren says. “But obviously, we are extremely excited about both John Salgado’s and Chris Wright’s performances. With all the guys playing the way they did in John’s absence, it shows the possibility of a very bright future for the program.”

Third-year forward Chris Wright, whose 10 points and 16 rebounds kept the Dinos in the game, was named a tournament all star. Fourth-year John Selgado went 7-7 from the floor for 16 points against Carleton.

Calgary will lose three senior players next season: Riad, guard Aman Heran and forward Sean Newland. However, with exciting players like Wright and guard Whit Hornsberger returning to the team next season, there is plenty of optimism in the Dinos’ camp.

“ We think that our team will be very strong next year with the core group that we have returning and some of the exciting recruits that we have joining the team,” said Vanhooren.