BRANDON – Timely shots from the Brandon back-court gave the Bobcats a big 95-91 win over the Regina Cougars Friday night.

Fifth-year guard Chris Stanhope hit three clutch threes in a 90 second span that gave Brandon a lead they wouldn't relinquish en route to the win that keeps their playoff hopes alive.

The two teams traded blows through-out the first half as Regina took a 42-40 lead into the half-time break.

Brandon tied it early in the third quarter at 45-45, and the Bobcats then caught fire from downtown as Stanhope made three triples in a minute and a half and Tyvon Cooper made one of his own. The Bobcats led 68-60.

Brandon shot 6-for-10 from beyond the arc in the third quarter, but Regina started the fourth on a 7-3 run to tie it 75-75.

The Bobcats and Cougars battled back and forth again late, but a big lay-up from Stanhope iced it with :20 seconds left, as it gave Brandon the 95-91 lead which would prove to be the final score.

Cooper collected a game-high 30 points, while Stanhope had 26 points on 5-of-6 shooting from beyond the arc. Earl Thompson Jr had a double-double with 16 points and 10 boards and John Paul put up 14 points on 6-of-9 shooting from the floor.

Five Cougars finished in double-digit scoring, led by Alex Igual's team-high 19 points. Brandon Tull had 16 points, Brian Ofori finished with 15, and both Samuel Hillis and Travis Sylvestre had 10 points.

The win moves Brandon's record to 6-9 while Regina sits at 6-7, setting up a crucial rematch on Saturday when the two teams meet again. Tip-off for that game is set for 7 pm at the Brandon University Healthy Living Centre.