Box Score Box Score

Carly Graham came off the bench to register her first career double-double and lead the University of Regina's women's basketball team to a 61-54 victory over the Manitoba Bisons on Friday night at the Centre for Kinesiology, Health & Sport.

Graham registered career highs in both points (20) and rebounds (11) and was 6-for-7 from the field, including 4-for-4 from three-point land. Graham now has 51 three-pointers this season, breaking the U of R's single-season record of 48 set by former standout Bree Burgess during the 2000-01 season.

The first half was a struggle for both teams, as Manitoba shot just 18.9% from the field and the Cougars committed 15 turnovers in the first two quarters alone. The two teams combined for just 47 points in the first half as the Cougars took a 26-21 lead into the break.

The teams were close right down the stretch, and the Cougars weren't able to put the game away until a late 9-1 run gave the home side a nine point advantage with 1:19 left in the contest. Allison Balasko got a bucket for Manitoba to cut the deficit to seven, but that would prove to be the final points of the game.

Joanna Zalesiak scored 11 points for the Cougars, while Lindsay Ledingham had eight points and pulled down a career-high 14 rebounds. Danielle Schmidt added eight points for Regina, which improves to 18-5 on the season.

Mubo Ilelaboye had a team-high 15 points for Manitoba and also led the Bisons with eight rebounds. Vanessa De Vries had 11 points, while Kayla Klassen added 10 points for Manitoba (8-15).

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