BRANDON – Neither the Brandon Bobcats or Alberta Pandas were particularly efficient on offense on Saturday night, but the #7 nationally ranked Pandas lived up to expectations, as they came away with a 59-44 win Saturday evening.
 
The first quarter was a physical affair, but low on offense as the two teams combined for 14 total points in the frame. Alberta ended the first with a 10-4 lead.
 
The Bobcats seemed to fix their free-throw struggles from the night before, shooting 83.3 from the line, but mustering just five field-goals in the first half, shooting 21.7 per cent from the floor, while the Pandas hit timely shots early, jumping to a 29-17 lead at the half-time break.
 
The Bobcats' offensive woes continued to start the third, going nearly six minutes without registering a point. Stephanie Hunter broke the streak at 4:10 left in the quarter, which was immediately followed by a 3-pointer by Kaela Cranston. The Bobcats went on a modest 6-2 run to close the gap to nine points before Renee Byrne hit a buzzer-beater bank 3-pointer to close the third quarter.
 
Alberta started the fourth quarter with some momentum, but the Bobcats hung around until the late in the fourth, when the Pandas played to their #7 national ranking and outlasted the Bobcats.
 
Bobcats coach Novell Thomas says playing against teams like the Pandas is an eye-opener for his squad.
 
"It gives us a good idea of what 'good' is, sorry, what great is…. They played us tough and it's very humbling. Hopefully we learn from that and the next set of games we play with this game in mind," says Thomas.
 
Maddie Rogers led all scorers with a game-high 13 points. Byrne contributed 10 points, while Jessilyn Fairbanks finished with nine points.
 
Amy Williams led the Bobcats with seven points, while fifth-year guard Aleah Bridges was solid on both ends of the court, registering six points, seven points and five assists.
 
The win improves Alberta's record to 12-1, while the Bobcats fall to 5-7.
 
The Pandas will prepare for another road trip next weekend as they'll travel to Lethbridge to play the Pronghorns. Brandon will travel to Langley, BC next weekend to play the Trintiy Western Spartans.