Written By: David Koroma

WINNIPEG, M.B. – The #3 University of Regina Cougars faced the Manitoba Bisons at Investors Group Athletic Centre on Friday, January 29 for women's basketball action. The top-ranked Cougars dominated three of the four quarters, coasting to an 86-55 final. The Cougars are now 12-1 for the season, while the Bisons are sitting at 1-14.

The Regina offense benefitted from reliable passing and shooting throughout the game, with a well-rounded offense led by forward Charlotte Kot. The home team was able to get their offense going, but really struggled to find a solution on defense.

"When we did finally get some flow offensively, we couldn't get any stops," said Bisons Head Coach Michele Hynes.

Regina guard, Katie Polischuk, opened the game with a three-pointer—giving her team a lead they held for the rest of the game. The home team struggled to put points on the board in the first, trailing 20-6 heading into the second quarter.

The Cougars' Kot stepped up to lead her offense in the second quarter, scoring 12 points and getting six rebounds. The Bisons' offense started to come alive, but it was too little too late and Regina entered halftime with a 45-21 lead.

After halftime, the Cougars continued their momentum and expanded their lead from 23 to 37 points. Led by Kot and Polischuk, the visiting team had a strong presence at the boards on both sides of the court–allowing them to capitalize on many turnovers.

While the Bisons struggled to keep up their morale, team captain Jenilyn Monton did capture her second and third three-pointers of the night in the fourth quarter—leading Manitoba to 18-12 for the quarter. However, Regina had no problem keeping a wide lead and finished the game up 86-55. 

The Bisons' Monton tied the Cougars' Kot for most points of the night with 23. Regina's post Alyssia Kajati led the game's rebounds with 8, followed closely by Kot's 7. Monton led Manitoba's rebounding as well, with 7 for the game.

The two teams will play each other again tomorrow afternoon at 4:00 p.m. at Investors Group Athletic Centre.

SCORING BY QUARTER

REG: 20-25-29-12: 86

MAN: 06-15-16-18: 55 

SCORING LEADERS

REG: Charlotte Kot (23), Alyssia Kajati (16), Katie Polischuk (12)

MAN: Jenilyn Monton (23), Rebecca Porter (6), Alyssa Lucier (5) 

REBOUNDING LEADERS

REG: Alyssia Kajati (8), Charlotte Kot (7), Kehlsie Crone (6)

MAN: Jenilyn Monton (7), Nicole Konieczny (6), Cara Neufeld (4)