Zachary Worden, Cougar Athletics

CALGARY, Alta – Friday night saw the beginning of a new basketball season, as the Winnipeg Wesmen visited the Mount Royal Cougars at Kenyon Court.
The Wesmen emerged victorious with a 77-52 win. The Wesmen used defensive pressure to throw the Cougars off their game and help them get out to a lead early and never look back.
Leading the way on the offensive end for the Wesmen was Antoinette Miller and Faith Hezekiah who scored 21 points a piece. The Wesmen's swarming defence forced the Cougars into 22 turnovers.
For the Cougars leading the way was Charity Marlatt with 20 points and 8 rebounds. The Cougars struggled to convert on their shots which lead to 28.2 percent shooting from the field and 11.8 percent from three.

Both teams came out of the gate with lots of energy on the defensive end forcing some early turnovers and shots at the end of the shot clock. As the quarter progressed the Cougars couldn't get their shots to fall, while the Wesmen were able to find and make some open shots. Hezekiah had 7 1st quarter points for the Wesmen. The Cougars ended the quarter shooting 16.7 percent and at the end of the 1st quarter the Wesmen lead 18-7.

To start the second quarter Miller went on a 5-0 run to expand the Wesmen lead to 16. The Cougars shooting troubles continued into the quarter as they found some open looks but couldn't convert. Miller and Hezekiah carried the load for the Wesmen on the offensive end throughout the quarter accounting for eight and ten points respectively. The Cougars found success towards the end of the quarter working the ball inside for some easy baskets. When the quarter was all said and done the Wesmen took a 41-19 lead into halftime.

Both teams came out of the half at quick pace resulting in up and down the action. The Cougars continued to work the ball inside, which opened-up space on the perimeter including two open threes for Marnie Garner. While on the other end the Wesmen took advantage of 6 offensive rebounds in the quarter to convert on the resulting layups. The Cougars continued to work the ball inside to Marlatt who scored nine points in the quarter. The Wesmen One-Three-One trapping defence started to impact the Cougars ability to get the ball inside resulting in some turnovers and in turn layups. At the end of the quarter, the Wesmen were able to grow their lead again taking a 28-point lead.

The Cougars shooting struggles continued into the fourth as the Wesmen started the quarter on a 13-4 run. The Wesmen were able to find their groove again as the open shots that wouldn't go down in the third started to fall. But the Cougars showed resiliency bouncing back to win the quarter 17-15. They started to figure out the Wesmen's defence allowing them to get into their offence.
The two teams will tip-off again at 4 pm, MDT, Saturday at Kenyon Court.