Box Score

The University of Regina's women's basketball team opened up a big lead in the first half and cruised to a 73-60 victory over Concordia on Friday night in the CIS West Region semifinals at the Physical Activity Complex on the campus of the University of Saskatchewan.

The Cougars went on a 10-0 run in the second quarter capped by a Danielle Schmidt three-pointer to open up an early 18-point lead over Concordia. The Stingers chipped away at the double-digit lead and briefly got the deficit down to nine before halftime, but Regina opened the third quarter with a 13-2 run to pull away for good.

Joanna Zalesiak led the Cougars with 17 points and 11 rebounds and fell just two assists short of a triple-double. Lindsay Ledingham added 15 points and nine boards, while Michelle Clark scored 14 for Regina.

Kaylah Barrett had 34 points for Concordia in the loss.

The victory gives the Cougars a berth in the regional final on Saturday night against Brock. The winner will receive an automatic berth to the 2012 CIS Championship in Calgary next weekend, while the loser will have to hope for a wildcard berth to advance to the national dance.

Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. and will be webcast live at www.ssncanada.ca.

NOTES: Brock is one of just two teams to defeat the Cougars this season, as the Badgers recorded a 65-56 victory over the U of R back in October in non-conference action.