BRANDON – The Regina Cougars lived up to their #3 national ranking by making quick work of the host Brandon Bobcats Friday night, running to a 77-40 victory at the Brandon University Healthy Living Centre.
 
The Bobcats entered the game winners of five of their last six and looking to get the program's first victory over the Cougars since joining the Canada West conference.
 
The Cougars entered as winners of seven of their last eight, and both teams had four game winning streaks going in, but it would be the Cougars who would keep their record intact and take one step closer to clinching a playoff spot.
 
Bobcats racked up four fouls in the first four minutes due to Regina's stifling defense. The Cougars capitalized, jumping to a 10-2 early lead.
 
Regina extended their first quarter lead to 17-4, and their largest lead of the first half at 19 points, which they managed twice.
 
The Cougars firmly kept their foot on the gas in the second half extending their lead to 37 points late in the fourth before closing it out.
 
Brandon shot 22.7 per cent from the floor and lost the rebound battle 51-40. The Bobcats also turned the ball over 33 times to the Cougars, who turned it over just 19 times.
 
The Cougars were paced by Katie Polischuk's 22 points while Sara Hubenig added 20 points.
 
Brandon's Lauren Anderson had team-highs in both points with nine and rebounds with six.
 
The win moves the Cougars record to 11-2. Brandon now sits with a record of 7-8.
 
The two teams meet again Saturday in Brandon with tip-off scheduled for 5 pm.