Zachary Worden, Cougar Athletics

CALGARY, Alta – The Mount Royal University Cougars welcomed the Manitoba Bisons to Kenyon Court on Friday night to tip-off the weekend series.

The Bisons were able to take a 91-63 win over the Cougars while setting the nets on fire to the tune of 56% shooting for the night and 57% on their threes.

Leading the way for the Bisons was Taylor Randall and Emma Thompson who scored 15 and 14 points apiece. Both used strong second-half performances to guide the Bisons to their second win of the year. Keziah Brothers and Jenilyn Monton both posted strong shooting performances, as Brothers shot six for six from the field and Monton took and made four threes.

The Cougars were led by Becky Nash who posted 15 points leading the scoring charge for Mount Royal. Marnie Garner and Abbey Gillette both had solid all-around games for the Cougars, as Garner had five points, five assists, and five rebounds, while Gillette had seven points and seven rebounds.

The Cougars used their size advantage out of the gate working the ball inside to take an early lead. Nash continued her climb up the all-time Canada West blocks list with 2 blocks in the quarter while also adding six points, continuing her strong play to start the season. Despite the Cougars efficiency on the offensive end, the Bisons were able to convert on their open looks and respond to the Cougars hot start by a taking a lead of their own towards the end of the quarter. The Bisons were able to get out in transition to grow their lead and capitalize taking a 19-11 lead at the end of the quarter.

Both teams came out in the second trading baskets, looking to break through and control the game. The Cougars used their inside presence to get some open shots on the perimeter, shrinking the Bison lead to five. The Bisons responded with a run of their own, hitting some tough threes to take a double-digit lead. The two teams battled for the last few minutes of the quarter as the Cougars looked to get back into the game, but the Bisons were able to answer the Cougars scores with points of their own and take a 44-28 lead into the halftime break.

At the end of the first half, leading the way for the Bisons was Brothers with 10 points, converting on all five of her shot attempts. The Bisons shot 56% from the field in the half, while shooting 50% from three-point range. Nash went into the second half on pace for another double-double with 10 points and five rebounds.

The Cougars came into the second half increasing their defensive pressure and forced four early Bison turnovers. Despite the extra possessions, the Cougars couldn't get the resulting shots to fall. Once the Bisons were able to get into their offence they continued their hot shooting by converting their shots and growing their lead throughout the quarter. 3 had a huge third scoring nine points and leading the Bison charge. Even with the Bisons making 67% of their shots in the quarter, the Cougars continued to play aggressive defense and look to cut the deficit. When the buzzer sounded to end the third quarter the Bisons lead 70-41.

The Cougars came into the fourth with the same defensive intensity and were able to get their open looks to find the bottom of the net. Gillette scored five straight points for the Cougars who were able to start cutting into the Bison lead. Thompson broke out in the quarter for Manitoba scoring six points and keeping the Cougar attack at bay. Maria Blanco Belver infused the Cougar defense to end the fourth as she was able to get 2 steals and keep the Cougars energy in the quarter.

The second game of the series will go Saturday at 4 p.m. MDT at Kenyon Court. The game will be streamed live on www.canadawest.com.