Box Score Box Score

The No. 1-ranked University of Regina's women's basketball team held a slim four-point lead at halftime, but a big third quarter powered the Cougars to a 69-54 win over the Calgary Dinos on Friday night in Canada West action at the Centre for Kinesiology, Health & Sport.

Regina clamped down on the defensive side of the ball in that third quarter, limiting the Dinos to just two points over the first five and a half minutes and outscoring Calgary by a 21-8 margin to take a healthy lead into the fourth. The Cougars kept the double-digit lead down the stretch to secure their fourth victory in as many Canada West games this season.

“We gutted out a win on a night we didn't shoot the ball especially well,” Cougars head coach Dave Taylor said. “We did a great job defensively in the third quarter and that allowed us to stretch the lead, and Joanna (Zalesiak) put a lot of pressure on their defence all game long.”

Lindsay Ledingham had a big double-double for the Cougars with 22 points and 11 rebounds, while Joanna Zalesiak was all over the box score with 16 points, nine rebounds, six assists, and six steals. Michelle Clark added 10 points for Regina, eight of which were scored in the first five minutes of the first quarter.

The loss was the first of the Canada West schedule for the Dinos, who fall to 4-1 with the setback. Jenna Kaye and Tamara Jarrett both had 13 points to lead Calgary, while Kaye added a team-high eight rebounds. A lack of efficiency from the free throw line plagued the Dinos, as the visitors went to the free throw line 23 times but were successful on just eight of them.

Neither team was especially good from the field, as Regina shot 35% and Calgary checked in at 34%. The Dinos had 27 turnovers in the loss, while the Cougars ended up with 23.

The two teams will meet again on Saturday night at the CKHS. Tip-off is scheduled for 6:15 p.m.

NOTES: Regina and Alberta (5-0) remain the only Canada West undefeated teams ... Calgary never led in this game, and an early 2-2 knot after a Jarrett jumper was the only tie score of the contest.