The 2025-26 season marked a turning point for the men’s basketball program. With the best statistical season in team history, the Cougars established themselves as one of the up-and-coming teams in all of Canada West. Night after night, the group delivered efforts that will continue to raise the bar for what the program can achieve. This gallery looks back on the moments that defined a historic year — from high-scoring wins, impressive individual efforts and performances that helped shape one of the strongest seasons the program has ever seen.

1. Oct 24 - “Here We Go.”  The Cougars opened up the 2025-26 season on the road against the University of Alberta. Rookie Jacob McLellan led the team in scoring in both games, setting the tone for what would become an impressive rookie campaign.

2. Oct 31 - “Starting 5.”  Sam Barnie, Kole Scott, Kuach Gajak, Jean-Nelson Pigoue, and DJ Roberts take the court as the Cougars starting 5 in the 2025-26 home opener.

3. Oct 31 - “Jump Ball.” Jean - Nelson Pigoue leaps for the jump ball to kick off another season of Cougars basketball on Kenyon Court.

4. Nov 1 - “Scott Surges over Saskatchewan.”  The Cougars got back on track and back in the win column against Saskatchewan following back to back losses to open the year. Kole Scott was a force during this weekend leading the way with 17- and 22-point performances. 

5. Nov 8 - “Finding a Spark.”  The Cougars found their first win on the road in a tightly contested matchup with the University of Winnipeg Wesmen. In retrospect, the win served as a quite the spark as it initiated MRU's season long 5 game win streak.

6. Nov 15 - “Barnie Blows Up.”  Sam Barnie went off for a season high 28 points in MRU's dominant 84-60 win over the MacEwan Griffins. This win also marked MRU's largest margin of victory for the season. 

7. Nov 21 - “On a Roll.”  Head Coach Josh Mullen and the MRU bench gets fired up after a big play during MRU's sweep over the Lethbridge Pronghorns. 

8. Nov 22 - “5 Straight.”  The Cougars came up big in the clutch to take a pair of tight games with the Lethbridge Pronghorns. The wins extented their win streak to a season long 5 games.

9. Nov 22 - “It's for the Fans.”  A few Cougars stick around to sign some autographs for the fans following a sweep over the Lethbridge Pronghorns.

10. Nov 29 - “The Rookie is on a Roll.” Jacob McLellan led the way for the Cougars once again during their 78-76 win over Regina to close out the first half of the season. No one on the Cougars roster had more points in the first half of the season than McLellan.

11. Nov 29 - “First Half is in the Books.”  With the win over Regina, the Cougars finished the first half the season with an 8-4 record and firmly positioned themselves as a team with high playoff aspirations.

12. Jan 8 - “School Day Game.”  The Cougars returned to home court in front of their biggest crowd of the season for this year's school day game. Local schools from the nearby communities took the day to come by and cheer on both the men's and women's basketball teams.

13. Jan 16 - "Back on Track."  After losing back-to-back games for the first time since the opening weekend of the year, the Cougars responded in a big way as they put up back-to-back 90-point performances against the UBCO Heat. 

14. Jan 23 - “Clinched."  Following the dominant weekend at UBCO the Cougars returned home with an opportunity to clinch a playoff birth. Kuach Gajak is pictured throwing down 2 of his 11 points in the game.

15. Jan 24 - "Senior Night."  Daniel Owoeye takes the court as the lone senior who was celebrated before the Cougars' final home game of the season.  After redshirting for a year, Owoeye went on to be a key force of the Cougars frontcourt for 4 consecutive seasons. His commitment to team success and steady development has resulted in a lasting impression of respect within MRU and the greater basketball community.

16. Jan 23/24 - “Peaking.”  The Cougars swept Brandon to extend their win streak to four games in their final home series. Kenyon Court was a true advantage all season, as they wrapped up the year with an 8–2 record on home floor.

17. Feb 7 - “100 Bomb.”  The Cougars made a statement in their regular season finale, dropping 100 points on the U of C Dinos—marking their only 100-point performance of the season.

18. Feb 9 - “All- Rookie.” Jacob McLellan's incredible breakout season was recognized with a Canada West All Rookie Team selection. Jacob's season ranks second amongst all time in points scored by an MRU rookie.

19.  Feb 13 - “Play in Game.”  The Cougars lineup ahead of their play in game matchup with the TWU Spartans. The Cougars entered the postseason with a 13-7 record. 

20. Feb 13 - “Needing a Push.”  Head Coach Josh Mullen tries to reignite the Cougars offence as they trail late in the CW play in game against TWU.

21. Feb 13 - “On the Rise.”  Despite falling short in the Canada West play-in game against the TWU Spartans, the MRU Cougars took a major step forward this season. The team posted the best regular season record in program history as a Canada West member while also setting a new mark for most regular season wins. With a strong foundation now in place, the Cougars head into next season focused on turning their progress into a deep playoff run and establishing themselves among the conference’s elite programs.