The University of Regina's women's basketball team held on for a 67-65 win over Manitoba on Saturday night as the Cougars completed a critical late-season road sweep over the Bisons.

Alexi Rowden was brilliant for the Cougars, tying her career high with 17 points and setting a new career mark with 18 rebounds as the fifth-year forward had a massive double-double in the win.

Rowden made an impact on the floor all night for the Cougars, but her most important contribution might have come with just seconds to go in the game. Leading by two, the Cougars missed a free throw but Rowden was right there to pull down the offensive rebound. She was fouled immediately, and made both free throws to make it a two-possession game.

Manitoba hit a three-pointer to get back to within one but it was too little, too late. Zoe Hartmann hit another free throw after she was fouled, and a desperation heave by the Bisons at the buzzer was nowhere close.

Besides Rowden's career night, the Cougars also enjoyed a 17-point effort by Faith Reid and 11 points from Avery Pearce. Macaela Crone and Michaela Kleisinger both chipped in with nine points apiece for the U of R, which improves to 8-8 on the season with the win.

Keziah Brothers led Manitoba (7-9) with 22 points.

The Cougars have just four games remaining in Canada West play, including two at home next weekend against UNBC. They'll then close out the conference schedule on Feb. 7 and Feb. 8 at Fraser Valley.