Jeff Sargeant, UBC Thunderbirds

VANCOUVER - A high compete level and a strong start wasn't quite enough for the UBC Thunderbirds (4-8) who saw a first half lead slip away, eventually falling 72-56 to the No. 3 Regina Cougars (9-1) Saturday night at War Memorial Gym.

The T-Birds entered the half with a 35-27 lead powered by a 19-9 first quarter. But the Cougars picked themselves up and held UBC to just 8 third quarter points while outscoring the hosts 45-21 in the final two frames.

Second-year forward Marcie Schlick led the 'Birds with a career-high 14 points along with 11 rebounds for her second double-double of the season.

Maddison Penn finished with 13 points while Gabrielle Laguerta chipped in with nine.

The Cougars, who won their fourth straight, were led by second-year guard Kyia Giles with an impressive 25 points and 10 rebounds. Charlotte Kot finished with 19 points.

UBC was down just three points heading into the final quarter and tied the game on a Jessica Hanson three-point jumper a minute into the fourth before taking a 48-46 lead. But the Cougars went on a 20-4 run to seal their ninth victory of the season.

"Regina's ranked third in the country for a reason," said UBC head coach Deb Huband. "It was their team play and their willingness to move and share the ball. We were that team in the first half and they were that team in the second half."

The Thunderbirds out-rebounded the Cougars 44-38 but a total of 21 UBC turnovers, including 13 in the second half, proved to be part of the 'Birds' undoing.

Regina shot 50 percent from the field in the second half while going 4-for-7 from three-point range. UBC finished the game with 34.4 percent shooting.

Both teams now enter the Canada West exam and holiday break. The Cougars close out the 2017 portion of their schedule just two points behind the conference leading Pronghorns but with a pair of games in hand.

The Thunderbirds have now dropped five in a row but have more than a whole month off before resuming Canada West play in Lethbridge January 12 and 13.

"In spite of our win-loss record, I think the energy is there and the desire to learn and improve is there," added Huband. "I think there's a bigger upside to this group but we have to keep hammering away and keep learning and developing and trust each other on the court a little bit better and build more familiarity with each other."

UBC will be in action over the break, however, as the 'Birds make a trip to Cuba for a series of exhibition contests starting December 27.

PHOTO: Rich Lam, UBC Thunderbirds