The MRU Cougars basketball teams returned to action last weekend, taking on the University of Saskatchewan Huskies in Saskatoon while the men's hockey team visited Vancouver to face the UBC Thunderbirds. With three teams playing a combined six games on the road, the Cougars posted a 3-3 record on the road last weekend, with the men's basketball and hockey teams finding the most success.

WBB: Friday, Jan. 10 vs University of Saskatchewan Huskies

The MRU Cougars women's basketball team traveled one province eastward to take on the University of Saskatchewan Huskies in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan on Friday, Jan. 10. However, the Cougars had their two-game win-streak snapped, conceding a 51-82 loss.

Maddy Hooper was the only Cougar to score in double-figures, finishing the night with 14 shot on 5-11 shooting, including 4-10 from three-point range. Alexis Evans posted a team-high 6 rebounds, while Hayley Lalor led her team in assists, dropping three dimes. 

The Cougars finished the first quarter with a one-point lead, out-scoring the Huskies 18-17. However, through the next three quarters, the Huskies scored 65 points, nearly doubling the Cougars' 33 points in the same time. 

MBB: Friday, Jan. 10  vs University of Saskatchewan Huskies

The MRU Cougars men's basketball team were in Saskatoon last weekend to face the University of Saskatchewan Huskies without their starting center, Daniel Owoeye, who suffered a lower body injury in Arizona the week before. Still, the team rallied together, winning 82-69 in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan on Friday, Jan. 10.

Four Cougars scored in double figures, including Dray Walburger (11 pts), Kuach Gajak (10 pts), Daniel Mulder (10 pts), and Keivonte Watts, who scored his team-high 24 points on 10-17 shooting from the field. Walburger and Watts played a key role in securing the win, contributing three three-pointers each while also combining for 13 rebounds. 

The Cougars were locked into a close game for the first three quarters, entering the final period of play down by three points. However, Watts went ludicrous in the fourth quarter, dropping a white-hot 13 points on 5-6 shooting and making all three of his three-point attempts. Walburger made both of his three-point attempts in the final quarter as well while Sam Barnie went a perfect 3-3 from the field to score six fourth-quarter points. As a result, the Cougars outscored the Huskies 33-17 in the fourth quarter on their way to a 13-point victory in Saskatoon.

MHKY: Friday, Jan. 10 vs University of British Columbia Thunderbirds

The MRU Cougars men's hockey team traveled to Vancouver last weekend to face the UBC Thunderbirds. Having lost their last two games against UBC, MRU was looking for revenge and found it as they secured a 6-1 victory on Friday, Jan. 10.

Tristan Zandee opened up the scoring in the first period, finding the back of the net halfway through the first period. Jayden Wiens soon followed, scoring a power play goal to give the Cougars a 2-0 advantage. With less than a minute left in the first period, UBC scored their only goal of the game, bringing the score to 2-1.

The Cougars dominated the next 40 minutes of action, scoring two goals in the second period and another two in the third. Canada West points-leader Clay Hanus secured his second point of the game with a shorthanded goal six minutes into the second period. Robbie Holmes potted home a pair of power-play goals and Justin Lies added his finishing touches as he scored the final goal of the game late in the third period.

Shane Farkas made 16 saves on 17 shots while the MRU Cougars attempted 34 shots on net. Hanus posted a game-high three points, dropping two dimes and scoring one goal in MRU's five-goal victory over UBC.

MHKY: Saturday, Jan. 11 vs University of British Columbia Thunderbirds

After a brilliant showing on Friday night, the MRU Cougars failed to sweep the UBC Thunderbirds as they took a 2-5 loss in Vancouver on Saturday, Jan. 11.

The Thunderbirds scored the first two goals of the game, potting home a power play goal in the first period and a shorthanded goal in the second. Clay Hanus responded, scoring his team's first goal on a second-period power play. However, the Thunderbirds clapped back with two more unanswered goals to take a 4-1 lead. Connor Bouchard scored a third-period power play goal to bring the score to 4-2, but it wasn't enough as UBC scored an empty-netter to hand MRU a 2-5 loss.

Shane Farkas faced 29 shots and made 24 saves while the MRU Cougars mustered up 20 shots of their own. Justin Lies and Bouchard tied in points, each contributing two points in the loss. 

The MRU Cougars men's hockey team will return home to face the MacEwan University Griffins on Friday, Jan. 17 at 7 p.m. at Flames Community Arena and live on Canada West TV.

WBB: Saturday, Jan. 11 vs University of Saskatchewan Huskies

The MRU Cougars women's basketball team were seeking revenge after their Friday night loss against the University of Saskatchewan Huskies. Despite their best efforts, the Cougars took a 55-80 loss on Saturday, Jan. 11 in Saskatoon.

Maddy Hooper continued her hot shooting, dropping a team-high 18 points on 6-12 shooting from the field and 4-8 from three-point range. She also posted a team-best four assists, while Jenika Martens led the way on the backboard with seven rebounds. 

The first half was fiercely competitive, with the Huskies just four points in front of the Cougars. However, MRU only scored 24 points in the second half while Saskatchewan poured in 45 points. Turnovers plagued the Cougars once again as they turned the ball over 29 times compared to the Huskies' 17.

The Cougars will hope to return to the win column when they take on the Brandon University Bobcats on Friday, Jan. 17 at 5 p.m. in Brandon and live on Canada West TV.

MBB: Saturday, Jan. 11 vs University of Saskatchewan Huskies

The MRU Cougars men's basketball team completed their weekend sweep of the University of Saskatchewan Huskies on Saturday, Jan. 11 as they secured an 85-73 victory in Saskatoon.

Keivonte Watts was on fire once again, dropping a game-high 28 points on 9-16 shooting from the field and 2-6 from three-point range. Dray Walburger was the only other Cougar to score in double figures, dropping 14 points while making two of his three three-point attempts. However, all nine Cougars who touched the court scored at least three points in the 12-point victory.

Watts and Jean-Nelson Pigoue combined for 12 first-quarter points while making all five of their field goal attempts. Walburger was automatic in the second quarter, scoring seven points while making all three of his field goal attempts, including one three-pointer. Even though the Cougars had a low-scoring third-quarter, only scoring 13 points, Watts and Walburger heated up in the fourth quarter and combined for 19 points while making all six of their field goal attempts and both of their three-point shots.

The MRU Cougars men's basketball team will hope to keep their win streak alive as they take on the Brandon University Bobcats on Friday, Jan. 17 at 7 p.m. in Brandon and live on Canada West TV.