MBB: Cougars clutch down the stretch

MBB: Cougars clutch down the stretch

Tyler Crayston, Brandon University Athletics

BRANDON – The Regina Cougars collected a fourth straight win on Saturday night following a 97-82 victory over the host Bobcats at the Healthy Living Centre.

The first-half had little in the way of momentum swings, however the Cougars chalked up 31 second-quarter points to lead 50-41 at halftime.

Brandon got back in the game with an 8-0 run to start the third quarter. Regina responded with an offensive spark of their own to push their lead to 60-51. The Bobcats caught their second momentum surge of the quarter with a 9-0 run to tie it 60-60. Going into the final frame, the Cougars' advantage was 69-65.

Regina doubled their lead to 78-70 with just over seven minutes to go in the fourth, before Brandon rallied to close the gap. Eight straight Brandon points made it 78-78 with six minutes to go.

The Cougars took full control from that point on. A massive 14-2 run sealed the road win for Regina as they upped their Canada West record to 4-and-2.

Samuel Hillis hit two huge three pointers moments apart during that stretch and Brayden Kuski added another for good measure from beyond the arc in the closing seconds.

Kuski came off the bench and poured in a team-high 25 points for the Cougars, who had five players in double-digits.

Samuel Hillis and Carter Millar both had double-doubles. Millar had 20 points and 12 rebounds, while Hillis had 17 points and 11 boards.

Samuel's brother Benjamin had 13 points, while Myles Hamilton rounded out the offence with 10 points.

Tyvon Cooper collected a game-high 32 points in a losing cause for the Bobcats, who slipped to 1-and-5.

Troy Grant got 19 points; Jaleel Webb added 15 and Steven Chieng had 12 points for BU. Chieng got into the starting lineup with Kobyn Jopp sidelined due to injury.

Regina will look to continue their winning ways when they welcome the Manitoba Bisons this coming weekend.

Meanwhile, the Bobcats have a bye in their conference schedule. The next games for Brandon are November 23-24 when they visit the Saskatchewan Huskies.

(Photo courtesy: Milana Paddock)