Box Score Box Score

The University of Regina's men's basketball team opened up the 2009 calendar year on Friday night with an 84-65 loss to the Trinity Western Spartans in a Canada West game in Langley, B.C.

A jumper by Jamal Williams gave the Cougars an early 2-0 lead, but that would be Regina's lone lead of the contest, as the Spartans scored 15 of the next 17 points to take an 11-point lead midway through the first quarter. The Spartans led by 13 at the break, then scored 13 consecutive points in the third quarter, essentially putting the game out of reach.

Four players scored in double digits for Trinity Western, led by 19 points from Jason Keegstra and a double-double by Jacob Doerksen, who ended up with 17 points and 11 rebounds on the night. Louis Hurd (15 points) and Brian Banman (11) also helped the cause for Spartans, who remain tied for third place with Simon Fraser in Canada West's Pacific Division with a 7-5 record.

Williams ended up with 19 points and seven rebounds on the night to lead Regina, while Kris Heshka had 16 points and a team-high eight rebounds. The Cougars fall to 6-5 on the season, but remain tied for the Great Plains Division lead with the Brandon Bobcats, who also lost on Friday night.

The Cougars had difficulty finishing on Friday night, ending up shooting 22-for-61 (36.1%) from the field compared to Trinity Western's 54.5% clip. Those difficulties extended to the free throw line for Regina, as the team was able to connect on just 19 of its 39 attempts. Trinity Western was 85.7% from the charity stripe.

Trinity Western will host Brandon on Saturday night, while the Cougars will make the short drive west to Burnaby, B.C. to square off with the Simon Fraser Clan.