Matt Packwood, Brandon University Athletics
BRANDON – The Brandon Bobcats showed a lot more life from the beginning but the Regina Cougars outlasted the Bobcats down the stretch to earn a 90-50 win at the Healthy Living Centre on Saturday evening.
After getting out to a rough start and out-rebounded on Friday, the Bobcats remedied one of those problems by keeping pace through the first few minutes on Saturday. Regina beat Brandon on Friday 103-55, and out-rebounded the Bobcats 60-21.
While Brandon's efforts on the glass were far better on Saturday, the Bobcats were still beat on the glass, but just by three at 51-48. The bigger problem facing the Bobcats was getting shots to fall, as the home side shot just 25 per cent from the floor on the night to Regina's 48 per cent.
Five Cougars finished in double-digit scoring for the second straight night, this time being led by Macaela Crone's team-high 17 points, picking up her second straight double-double by pulling down 10 rebounds.
Kyanna Giles put up 15 points, while Michaela Kleisenger finished with 14 points, Angela Bongomin had 13 points and Faith Reid had 12.
The win moves Regina's record to 4-2 and moves them back up the standings in the Canada West conference after being swept just one weekend ago.
While Brandon showed a better start, the Cougars were prepared for what was coming.
"No team wants to play bad two nights in a row, like usually if you lose like that you come back with some more fire so I think we were well prepared for that," says Bongomin. "They're a good team and we know that, so we came prepared that when our lulls came we didn't stay in that downswing. We just focused on defence and moving the ball on offence."
Brandon was led by Lauren Anderson's game-high 21 points as the fifth-year forward finished just shy of a double-double with nine rebounds.
Anderson was the only Bobcat to finish in double-figures as the next leading scorer was Josie Degagne with eight points.
The loss drops Brandon's record to 2-4, which also means they'll have to wait a little longer to end their misfortune against the Cougars.
Brandon has never beaten Regina in a regular season game since joining the Canada West conference in 1999.
The Cougars head home to Regina and begin preparations to host the 5-1 Manitoba Bisons next weekend, while the Bobcats enjoy a bye weekend before heading back on the road, this time to Saskatoon to take on the Saskatchewan Huskies.
(Photo courtesy Milana Paddock)