VANCOUVER - The no. 5 ranked Regina Cougars were too much for the UBC Thunderbirds on Friday night, defeating the visiting 'Birds 85-54 thanks to a strong offensive output in the first quarter and a stingy defensive effort in the fourth.
In the opening frame, the Cougars led 13-10 midway through the quarter before blowing the game open with a 16-4 run over the final four minutes to take a commanding 15-point lead through 10 minutes of play.
The T-Birds cut the deficit in the second quarter, using an 18-8 run heading into the break to make the score 43-35 for Regina at the half.
UBC continued to cut into the host's lead and trailed 45-42 at one point during the third quarter but it was all Regina over the last 16 minutes of the game, as they outscored UBC 40-13 during that stretch. The fourth quarter was especially unkind to the visiting 'Birds as they tallied just five points during the frame.
Zara Huntley put together a nice performance for the T-Birds with 19 points and 12 rebounds but as a squad, UBC struggled from the field going 21-of-75 (28.0%) on the night. The 'Birds had their possessions thanks in large part to the team's 24 offensive rebounds - led by Huntley's 10 - but could not convert on their second chance opportunities and finished the game 1-of-14 (7.1%) from downtown.
"A disappointing night for us offensively. We generated some good looks but there was just no finish. Zara was our only bright light but otherwise we struggled," said UBC head coach
Deb Huband.
Regina was led by Joanna Zalesiak and Gabrielle Gheyssen who scored 22 and 20 points respectively. As a team, the Cougars were 27-of-55 (49.1%) from the field and an efficient 9-of-13 (69.2%) from three-point land. Gheyseen led the offensive barrage as she was 7-of-8 from the floor and 6-of-7 from downtown while Zalesiak tallied a team-leading five assists.
"Defensively, we had a really slow start and gave up a lot of points early. We fought back to get within three and then we started spectating on defence and they took advantage," added Huband.
The two teams meet again in the re-match Saturday night. Tip-off is set for 4:15 PT.
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