They trailed for almost the entire game, but the University of Regina Cougars exploded in the fourth quarter to take a 71-60 win over Manitoba on Friday night in Canada West women's basketball action at the Centre for Kinesiology, Health & Sport.
 
Manitoba led 48-42 after three quarters, but that's when the Cougars went to work. The home team reeled off an 18-6 run over the first five minutes of the fourth, turning what had been a six-point deficit into a six-point lead.
 
The Bisons immediately got back to within three on a Jenilyn Monton triple, but that was as close as they would come. Kehlsie Crone hit her second three-pointer of the quarter a minute and a half later from well beyond the arc with the shot clock about to expire, and the Cougars scored eight of the next nine points to push the lead well into double digits and seal the win.
 
Charlotte Kot (pictured) was 10-for-14 from the field and led the Cougars with a game-high 23 points while pulling down 12 rebounds for a double-double. Christina McCusker came off the bench to score 12 for the U of R, while Alyssia Kajati had nine points and led all players with 15 rebounds. Kajati and Kot's work on the glass were a large reason for the Cougars enjoying a 56-27 advantage in rebounding during the game.
 
Robyn Eyer led Manitoba with 19 points, while Stephanie Gill chipped in with 12. The Bisons fall to 0-3 on the season with the loss.
 
Despite turning the ball over 30 times, the Cougars improve their Canada West record to 1-2 and will go for the weekend sweep on Saturday night. Tip-off is again scheduled for 6 p.m. on campus at the CKHS.