CALGARY – The University of Regina Cougars looked every bit the second-ranked team in the nation Friday, night, overpowering the Calgary Dinos 92-62 in the Jack Simpson Gym.

BOX SCORE

Joanna Zalesiak scored a career-high 25 points to lead the Cougars, who improve to 13-2 on the season, while Calgary falls to 7-9 and sits tied with Lethbridge for fifth-place in the Prairie Division and the likely wild card playoff entry.

The Cougars jumped out to an early lead, scoring ten consecutive points early in the first quarter and opening up a 16-point by halftime. Regina came out strong in the second half, starting the third quarter on a 15-1 run to essentially put the game out of reach. The Cougars led by at least 25 points for all of the fourth quarter.

“We were outmatched in every way, shape, and form tonight,” said Calgary head coach Shawnee Harle. “We are usually much tougher and scrappier, but we were flat as a pancake.

“This team is better than they showed, and I know we will bring it tomorrow night.”

Zalesiak's 25 points eclipsed her previous career high of 20, set in November against Fraser Valley. The second-year guard added a team-high 11 rebounds to register a double-double and also led all players with 34 minutes on the floor. Gabrielle Gheyssen had 16 points for Regina, while Brittany Read chipped in with ten – all of which came from the free throw line.

Megan Lang was the only Calgary player to reach double figures in points, as the third-year point guard scored 19. Alex Cole had nine points and a team-leading seven rebounds for the Dinos. Calgary's leading scorer Ashley Hill went cold from the field, missing all eight of her shots while accounting for just two points on the night – both on free throws.

The two teams will meet again on Saturday night in Calgary. Tip-off is scheduled for 6 p.m. MT.

-UC-