Zachary Worden, Cougar Athletics
CALGARY - Friday night marked the annual U Sports Shoot For The Cure game at Mount Royal University, where the University of Alberta Pandas visited the Cougars at Kenyon Court to kick off their weekend series.
The Pandas were able to come away with a 73-40 win, having a strong night on the offensive end shooting 42% from the field and 38% from three.
Elle Hendershot has a record-breaking night on the boards for the Pandas as she tied the Canada West record for defensive rebounds in a game, finishing with 20, while grabbing 23 in total.
The Pandas also received strong offensive contributions from Jenna Harpe who had 12 points and Makenna Ledgister who finished with a game-high 13 points.
The Cougars were led by Erin Kehrig and Becky Nash, who both finished with eight points, while Nash was able to add 11 rebounds and two blocks to her game total.
Both teams came out of the gate with a ton of defensive intensity as both teams were able to force early turnovers and contested shots.
The Pandas were able to gain an advantage by getting into the bonus and working to the free throw line nine times in the quarter but were only able to convert on five of their attempts.
Charity Marlatt led the Cougars on the offensive end scoring four points and establishing the Cougars inside presence.
Once the buzzer sounded at the end of the first 10 minutes the Pandas led 13-9.
The two teams came into the second and were able to find their offense, scoring points on their first two possessions after creating open looks and converting.
The Pandas were able to extend their lead by going on a 12-2 run while making three of their five three-pointers during the quarter.
The Cougars found a way to secure extra offensive possessions on the offensive end, grabbing four offensive rebounds and forcing turnovers in the backcourt, but weren't able to capitalize on the opportunities that followed.
Heading into the halftime break the Pandas had taken a 33-19 lead, led by Harpe and Ledgister who had seven points apiece. Hendershot was well on the way to her record-setting performance on the glass first half for the Pandas entering the break with a game-high 12 rebounds.
Nash finished the first half with seven rebounds and two blocks while being the rock in the middle of the Cougar defense.
The defensive battle of the first quarter came back out of the halftime break as neither team could take control of the game.
After the Pandas went on a 5-0 run to start the quarter, the Cougars upped the intensity of their press and were successful in slowing down the Panda offense while finding their own offensive game.
Once the Pandas found a way to get through the Cougar press they were able to work their way to the rim, shooting 64% in the quarter and grew their lead to 27 heading into the final quarter.
The Cougars came into the game looking to start a comeback and were able to find success on the offensive end getting their looks to fall, but the Pandas were able to respond with their own offensive attack and keep their lead throughout the quarter.
The Pandas were able to come away with their seventh win of the season as they look to secure a playoff position in the Canada West.
The two teams will be at it again Saturday afternoon at 4 p.m. MDT at Kenyon Court to finish the two-game series. The game will be streamed live on www.canadawest.tv.