BRANDON, Man. – The Regina Cougars kicked off 2022 with a statement win, beating the host Brandon Bobcats 86-55 Friday night at the BU Healthy Living Centre.
 
The win is Regina's first of the new year, and firmly sits the Cougars atop the Canada West east division standings with a 7-3 record.
 
Regina's balanced offence was too much as all but one Cougar found the score sheet, led by Carter Millar's double-double performance of 18 points and 13 rebounds.
 
Majok Madol also had a double-double (10 points, 13 rebounds) and Arinze Emeka-Anyakwo chipped in 12 points.
 
Brandon's Sultan Haider Bhatti opened the scoring with an and-1 bucket, but Regina answered back with a 12-2 run.
 
The Cougars kept the pressure on from there, hitting consecutive three's from Hayden Collier for an early 24-10 lead.
 
Anthony Tsegakele had a double-double in the first half, finishing with a game-high 24 points and 12 boards.
 
The two teams meet again Saturday night in Brandon to conclude the weekend series.
 
Tip-off is scheduled for 7 pm.