WBB: Luca shines on senior night as Cougars top Bobcats 77–71

#14 Nora Luca, who led the Cougars with 20 points on the night.

The 9–8 Mount Royal Cougars hosted the 5–10 Brandon Bobcats on Saturday night at Kenyon Court, aiming to complete a weekend sweep after a 19-point win the night before. With playoff positioning on the line, the Cougars entered the matchup looking to keep their momentum rolling. The evening also marked senior night, as Mount Royal honoured fifth-year forward Nora Luca for her contributions to the program.

Brandon guard Piper Ingalls looked to spark the Bobcats early, knocking down two three-pointers to force an early Mount Royal timeout. MRU's Presley Hopf answered with a strong start of her own, helping the Cougars take a slim 18–16 lead at the end of the opening quarter.

Luca got going offensively in the second quarter, drilling a key three-pointer to push the Cougars' lead to five. Brandon responded as guard Macaya Copeland connected on her first jumper of the night, cutting the deficit to 26–23 early in the frame. Mount Royal continued to build momentum, however, as a three from Asha Donnelly extended the lead to double digits and forced a Bobcats timeout.

Ingalls helped Brandon trim the margin back to six, but the Cougars kept rolling offensively, stretching their advantage to as many as 14 points and heading into halftime with a 48–34 lead.

Brandon came out with renewed energy to open the second half, as a Copeland three cut the Cougars' lead to seven. Mount Royal weathered the push, with forward Temi Ajayi making her presence felt on both ends of the floor to keep MRU in control. The Bobcats closed the quarter on a strong run, trimming the Cougars' advantage to six, 61–55, heading into the final frame.

The fourth quarter was a dogfight, with both teams showing their grit as they battled down the stretch. Ingalls continued her hot shooting night, finishing with a game-high 27 points and helping cut the Cougars' lead to just two. Luca answered moments later, knocking down a timely three to restore MRU's cushion to five midway through the quarter.

Mount Royal hunkered down defensively in the final minutes and closed out the game at the free-throw line, securing a 78–74 victory to complete the weekend sweep over a gritty Bobcats squad.

Player of the Game: Nora Luca capped off senior night in style, leading Mount Royal with 20 points and seven rebounds.

Print Friendly Version

Players Mentioned

#0 Asha Donnelly: 5' 6"; Third Year

#6 Temi Ajayi: 5' 10"; First Year

#11 Presley Hopf: 5' 8"; First Year

#14 Nora Luca: 6' 1"; Fourth Year

Players Mentioned

#0 Asha Donnelly
: 5' 6"; Third Year

#6 Temi Ajayi
: 5' 10"; First Year

#11 Presley Hopf
: 5' 8"; First Year

#14 Nora Luca
: 6' 1"; Fourth Year