Calgary, ALTA. — The Mount Royal University men's basketball team found redemption against the University of Regina Cougars in a close match on Friday night. MRU's collective efforts resulted in a 75-71 victory over Regina.
Opening this rematch, a steal by Regina resulted in Christian Tabiri finishing a contested layup, marking the first points of the night. The offense from both teams took an early start as Tabiri drained an open look three and
Sam Barnie finishing a one-hand jam only a minute into the first period.
Dray Walburger would also swish a jump shot three to keep this game tied at 7-7. MRU and Regina were matching up with one another but three-pointers were Regina's favourite as Ben Kamba and Jamie White drained 3 of them to create a small lead, 16-12.
Avnoor Bhullar began to shine as he would return a deep three, clean up an offensive rebound, and gain a steal to earn 7 points as the first period ended.
Pushing the pace,
Kole Scott's mid-range jumper earned a quick 2 points for MRU. A timeout from MRU would allow for some time to settle back into the battle as
DJ Roberts, stepping up as
Keivonte Watts would sit out due to injury, made the reverse layup and later earned a free throw. Cade Mather made a statement after soaring through the air for the put-back dunk, forcing MRU's last timeout in the first half. Coming out of the timeout, Walburger sent his second three of the night then assisted Roberts' drop step bucket, where Regina took an immediate timeout to stop MRU's offensive run. Afterwards, MRU and Regina were finding ways to put up tough shots to extend one another's leads. Regina would take a 6-point lead heading into halftime, 36-30.
Regina returned to make 4 quick points in the third period from Lodie Kenyi and Tabiri but Bhullar would cash in his third three-pointer in the corner shortly after. Barnie put up a physical feat to power through for 2 points down low. MRU managed to keep White inside the perimeter, limiting White's three-point shooting to two points. In spite of Regina's daunting defense, it did not stop Bhullar from sinking a contested three, 43-38 for Regina. Then, Roberts put an impressive bucket to draw and-one, making it a 3-point play to chip away at MRU's deficit down to five points. MRU continued to muscle through Regina as
Kuach Gajak earned another two tough layups and Roberts took both shots at the free throw line. A last second save from Walburger was a beautiful fadeaway jumper to keep MRU within 2 points from Regina, 51-49. Mather made the final points in the third after White dished off the ball to a wide open Mather in the paint.
Walburger continued shooting the ball as he made a clutch jumper right after the 2 minute break to start the fourth period. Barnie put another three-pointer after being left alone at the top of the arc and Bhullar got a transition layup off the backboard to push MRU to their first lead since the first quarter, 56-55. This resulted in a timeout from Regina, which only led to MRU forcing a 5-second violation on the returning inbound play. Then,
Jean-Nelson Pigoue's offensive rebound setup Walburger to make the three. Making their comeback, Bhullar made his 19th point after firing another deep and contested three-pointer, 62-57 for MRU. White generated a three-point play after drawing contact on his layup, tying the game back to 62-62. However, MRU was not going to let go tonight as
Ijah Nelson made a corner three, then converted his steal to fast break layup to reclaim the lead for the MRU Cougars. Another steal by Nelson found a behind-the-back pass to Scott to Walburger, once again, making a tough three-pointer to force Regina's last timeout, 70-65. Just over a minute to play, Mather fired a clutch three at the buzzer of the shot clock but Nelson rose up within the paint to keep Regina down by 4 points. Walburger was sent to the charity stripe, missing one of his shots, but Nelson would subsequently head over to the line and cash in both free throws. Lodie made a last ditch effort by sinking a three-pointer but, with only 0.6 seconds left, MRU would take the win on Kenyon Court, 75-71.
The MRU Cougars will return on January 10, 2025 to face the University of Saskatchewan Huskies.
