VANCOUVER — The UBC Thunderbirds (9-5) battled back from a slow start but came up short in a 73-64 loss to the Regina Cougars (12-2) on Saturday evening at War Memorial Gym.
"We had a rough start to the first," said UBC head coach Erin McAleenan after the T-Birds kept the second-best offence in the Canada West to under 80 points in both games over the weekend. "There were a couple last-minute changes in the lineup for us, and not having
Katie Hartman on the floor makes a big difference for us defensively. Holding them to just eight points in the second quarter was very impressive, and in the third quarter we really started to get some offence going. Obviously, it would have been great to limit them even more, but they're a really good team. Two nights in a row against a talented top team…I thought our overall defense effort was consistent and our offence was better tonight. At the end of the day, we have to put a few more in.
Sara Toneguzzi really stepped up,
Olivia Weekes didn't get a lot of calls, but still got a double-double in twenty minutes,
Emily Martindale was so steady as a veteran and a leader, and
Hailey Counsell stepped up today and defended especially well for us."
Toneguzzi went off for 17 points in the second half – finishing with 19 points, Martindale added 13 points with eight boards, and Weekes put up 12 points and 13 boards for another big showing for the 'Birds. Zoe Hartman and Jade Belmore each totalled 14 points for the Cougars, with Belmore racking up 11 rebounds, five assists and four steals in the win. Cara Misskey had 11 points with four steals, while
Dayna Pearce tallied 10 points and seven rebounds in the win.
A Misskey three gave the Cougars a 13-8 lead in the first, but
Sofia Bergman countered with a triple of her own to keep UBC within striking distance. Regina continued to execute and led 25-13 heading into the second quarter, as the 'Birds struggled to get going offensively. Martindale opened the second quarter with a trey and the T-Birds made it a 10-point game when Counsell found
Emilia Banmann in the paint for a quick jumper at 28-18 Cougars. Martindale drove to the hoop for a tough finish late in the half to cut Regina's lead to seven and Counsell slashed through the lane and drained a floater for a 33-28 deficit at halftime.
UBC's offence came to life in the third, thanks in part to eight quick points from Toneguzzi. The second-year guard drained a pair of threes and scored on a layup at 42-41 before Weekes tied it at 46-46 with an and one. Toneguzzi wasn't done yet – pulling up and knocking down a long jumper from the top of the key, but Weekes was called for her fourth foul with 1:34 left in the third and the Cougars led 56-50 after three. Toneguzzi's second-half hot streak continued with a three and a layup at 66-61 Regina in the fourth, but Lauren Hodgins restored the visitors lead to nine points on back-to-back buckets and the Cougars held steady for the 73-64 win.
"Home court advantage is always important," said McAleenan. "Especially shooting-wise. Not sure it really showed this weekend, but in the second term hopefully we'll be able to get our feet under us and make some steps forward next weekend against UBCO."
The T-Birds will look to get back into the win column next weekend against the UBCO Heat on Friday at 5:00 p.m. and Saturday at 4:00 p.m., while Regina returns home to host the Lethbridge Pronghorns for a two-game series in Saskatchewan.
