University of Regina Sports Information

REGINA - Charlotte Kot lifted the No. 3-ranked University of Regina's women's basketball team back into the win column on Friday night as the Cougars toppled previously unbeaten Lethbridge by a 97-76 score in a Canada West game at the Centre for Kinesiology, Health & Sport.

Kot was outstanding for the Cougars, pouring in a season-high 25 points and finishing 11-for-15 from the field to help the U of R improve its conference record to 6-1.

Besides the 25-point performance by Kot, the Cougars also got 17 points from Sara Hubenig and 13 from Carolina Goncalves. Kyia Giles and Lauryn Prokop both had eight points, while Michaela Kleisinger and Kyanna Giles added seven points apiece. Hubenig approached triple-double territory, leading all players in both rebounds (8) and assists (8) while also registering five steals.

Lethbridge, which suffers its first Canada West loss of the season after opening up the conference schedule with eight straight victories, was led by Kacie Bosch's 14 points. Zoe Dahl added 12 points, while both Amy Mazutinec and Jessica Zarowny finished up with 10 points. Dahl and Mazutinec tied for the team lead with seven rebounds.

The Cougars went on the first sustained run of the game in the first quarter, scoring 10 straight points after Lethbridge had briefly taken a 7-6 lead. A three-point play by Kot and a three-pointer by Kleisinger highlighted that run, which helped Regina take a 23-17 lead after the opening period.

The Cougars extended the lead to 12 after taking a 49-37 advantage at the halftime break, but the U of R changed the complexion of the game in the third. Regina scored 14 consecutive points during a three-minute outburst, giving the home side a 21-point lead in the late stages of the third. Lethbridge got to within no closer than 15 points the rest of the way.

Points off turnovers were the difference on Friday, with the Cougars turning the ball over just 12 times compared to Lethbridge's 27 miscues. Regina scored 32 points off those 27 turnovers, while Lethbridge scored just six points off U of R turnovers.

The two teams will close out the weekend series on Saturday night. Game time will again be at 6:00 at the CKHS.