MBB: Cougars' size too much for Spartans
March 5, 2022
CALGARY - Leveraging their size and stingy defence, the University of Regina Cougars men's basketball team cruised to a 105-81 victory over the Trinity Western Spartans Saturday night in a Canada West quarter-final in the Jack Simpson Gym.
The victory earns the Cougars a trip to the CW Final Four, where they will take on the Victoria Vikes in two weeks' time at the University of Alberta in Edmonton.
Continuing a playoff trend in this inaugural 17-team format, a strong start was critical in earning the victory. Regina opened a 31-14 lead after 10 minutes, taking Cinderella's shoe off the Spartans' foot. In their two prior playoff victories, Trinity Western scored 30-plus in the opening quarter, but were unable to score more than 20 points in a quarter until the final frame on Saturday night.
Regina's size was instrumental in the effort on both sides of the ball. Majok Madol attacked the interior of the Spartans defence early and often, ending his night with 20 points and 10 rebounds. Alternating between a 1-3-1 zone and a man defence, the Spartans had no answer to protect the rim against a Cougars squad that finished with a 54-24 points in the paint advantage.
"Luckily for me I was able to find my sweet spot and just attack it," said Madol. "Credit to everybody for getting me the ball and impacting the game."
Playing for the third consecutive night, tired legs appeared to catch up to the Spartans. Mason Bourcier and Ja'Qualyn Gilbreath only sat for a combined one minute of action during the past two games and were both held in check until late in the fourth quarter.
The loss brings an end to second team all-star Gilbreath's remarkable Canada West career, ending his TWU tenure as the record holder for most points scored by a Spartan in a single season.
"It's an emotional night for me because I love the guy," said TWU bench boss Trevor Pridie. "He was my first recruit here and was an incredible player for us I don't think this is going to be his last basketball game, I think he is going to have a really good career and I am super proud of him."
Regina's win sends the tournament's top four seeds to the Final Four in Edmonton, where they will take on the second-seeded Vikes in a CW semifinal for a trip to the U SPORTS Final 8, also in Edmonton. The other semifinal will pit the host, top-seeded Golden Bears against the Saskatchewan Huskies.
The victory earns the Cougars a trip to the CW Final Four, where they will take on the Victoria Vikes in two weeks' time at the University of Alberta in Edmonton.
Continuing a playoff trend in this inaugural 17-team format, a strong start was critical in earning the victory. Regina opened a 31-14 lead after 10 minutes, taking Cinderella's shoe off the Spartans' foot. In their two prior playoff victories, Trinity Western scored 30-plus in the opening quarter, but were unable to score more than 20 points in a quarter until the final frame on Saturday night.
Regina's size was instrumental in the effort on both sides of the ball. Majok Madol attacked the interior of the Spartans defence early and often, ending his night with 20 points and 10 rebounds. Alternating between a 1-3-1 zone and a man defence, the Spartans had no answer to protect the rim against a Cougars squad that finished with a 54-24 points in the paint advantage.
"Luckily for me I was able to find my sweet spot and just attack it," said Madol. "Credit to everybody for getting me the ball and impacting the game."
Playing for the third consecutive night, tired legs appeared to catch up to the Spartans. Mason Bourcier and Ja'Qualyn Gilbreath only sat for a combined one minute of action during the past two games and were both held in check until late in the fourth quarter.
The loss brings an end to second team all-star Gilbreath's remarkable Canada West career, ending his TWU tenure as the record holder for most points scored by a Spartan in a single season.
"It's an emotional night for me because I love the guy," said TWU bench boss Trevor Pridie. "He was my first recruit here and was an incredible player for us I don't think this is going to be his last basketball game, I think he is going to have a really good career and I am super proud of him."
Regina's win sends the tournament's top four seeds to the Final Four in Edmonton, where they will take on the second-seeded Vikes in a CW semifinal for a trip to the U SPORTS Final 8, also in Edmonton. The other semifinal will pit the host, top-seeded Golden Bears against the Saskatchewan Huskies.