The University of Regina's men's basketball team defeated the University of Manitoba Bisons 72-62 on Saturday night in Regina.
The Cougars had multiple contributors on offence tonight, as four players scored in double-digits and three more had at least five points. Regina forward
Matt Barnard scored a team-high 15 points on 7-of-9 shooting to lead the way.
With the win, the Cougars have a chance of clinching first place in the Canada West East Division next weekend. If the Saskatchewan Huskies lose both games to the Bisons next weekend, paired with the Cougars getting at least one win against the visiting Brandon Bobcats, the Cougars will secure the top seed. Alternatively, the Cougars can also clinch first if they win both games next weekend and the Huskies split their weekend series against the Bisons.
Both teams experienced shooting woes in the first quarter as the Bisons went 5-of-15 and the Cougars went 3-of-19 on field goals. As a result, the first quarter ended in a low score, with Manitoba leading 11-9 after the first 10 minutes.
The Cougars shot better in the second quarter, scoring 17 points. Guard
Josiah Thomas provided a spark on offence, scoring seven of those points. The first half was a back-and-forth affair, with nine lead changes, as both teams kept it close. The Cougars went into halftime with a narrow 26-23 lead.
Strong shooting by the Cougars in the third quarter gave them the boost they needed to avoid splitting the weekend series with the Bisons. They shot 11-of-18 as a team and held the Bisons to 16 points.
Matt Barnard had two dunks, and scored nine points in the frame to put the Cougars ahead 51-39 heading into the final quarter.
The Bisons attempted to mount a comeback, hitting ten shots and scoring 23 points in the fourth quarter. The Cougars played the foul game however, hitting 9-of-16 free throws to keep the game out of reach and secure their ninth win of the season.
Besides Barnard, the other Cougars scoring in double-digit figures was Thomas (14 points, eight rebounds),
Benjamin Hillis (11 points) and
Brayden Kuski (10 points).
Carter Millar added a team-high 12 rebounds for Regina.
Bisons player James Wagner scored a game-high 20 points on 9-of-17 shooting. Manitoba also got contributions from Cameron O'Hara (12 points, eight rebounds) and Keiran Zziwa (eight points, nine rebounds, seven assists).
The Cougars (9-3) will host the Brandon University Bobcats next Friday and Saturday while the Bisons (6-6) head home to take on the University of Saskatchewan Huskies next weekend.
