CALGARY – The visiting No. 3 Regina Cougars almost gave up a 21-point lead to the University of Calgary Dinos on Feb. 1, but prevailed, despite being outscored 30-13 in the fourth by a score of 76-72. 

This puts the Cougars in first place in the Prairie Division by just one game, and marks just the third loss for the Dinos all season. Jessica Franz had an outstanding, game-high 29 points in the game along with 11 rebounds for the double-double. She was followed by another 15 from teammate Tamara Jarrett and 11 from Alex Cole. 

For the Cougars, Danielle Schmidt scored a team-high 22 points and Brittany Read recorded a double-double with 18 points and a game-high 18 rebounds. 

The game started off on the right foot for the Dinos as they earned an early lead of 8-0 over their nationally-ranked rivals. It wouldn't last for long though, as the Cougars would come roaring back, scoring eight unanswered points of their own around the five minute mark.

A three-pointer from Kristie Sheils put the Dinos back up 11-8, and from there, they used the final minutes of the opening quarter to gain a five point advantage. The home team headed into the second quarter up 17-12. 

The No. 3 Cougars weren't so easily defeated as they continued to fight for the lead. Tying the score up at 19, the second quarter saw a number of three's drained on both ends of the court, including a three coming from forward Franz of Calgary and another coming from rookie guard Katie Polischuk of Regina.

In what was sure to be a close game all the way through, both teams didn't disappoint. Scoring a three-pointer at the buzzer, thanks to Cougar Danielle Schmidt, the visitors gained the small advantage heading into the second half, up 37-34. 

The Dinos were forced to call a timeout early in the third as Regina came out on fire, scoring eight points in a minute and a half compared to Calgary's two. The Cougars extended their lead to 14 with another five points before Cole was able to get the Dinos back on the board in the third with a lay-up. 

The relentless pressure of the Cougars didn't let up throughout the third, as they pulled away throughout the third quarter to earn a 20 points lead with three and a half minutes to go. Twenty-one points would be the difference at the end of the quarter with the Dinos having their work cut out for them in the fourth as they were outscored 26-8.

In the final quarter of the game, Calgary slowly chipped away at Regina's lead. A three-pointer for 6-foot-1 forward Cole cut down the Cougars' lead to just nine points at 68-59. She followed that up with her second three in a row to get the Dinos within six and get the crowd riled up. 

With less than two minutes left in the game, the Dinos comeback got within five with the Cougars in foul trouble. Franz would sink a three-pointer with less than 30 second left on the clock to bring the Dinos within just three points, coming from a 21 point deficit from the beginning of the third quarter. 

Unfortunately, the Dinos were unable to catch up with a final four second left on the clock, they would ultimately fall 76-72 to the No. 3 Cougars despite outscoring them in the fourth 30-13. 

Both teams will go at it again on Feb. 2 in a chance for the Dinos (14-3) to get revenge on the Cougars (15-2) at 5 p.m. at The Jack. 

-UC-