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An 86-74 overtime loss to the U of Winnipeg Wesmen ended an 8-game
winning streak and reminded the Cougars what effect injuries have on a team. The team entered the weekend series bolstered by a number 2 ranking in the latest CIAU poll. The highest ranking for the team since 1991. Over the Christmas holidays, two Cougar players were injured - third year forward Amy Mickleborough and rookie forward Becky Poley, joining Jasmine Weseen and Janet Cook. "The injuries may be catching up with us," commented head coach Christine Stapleton. "We've kind of being dodging a bullet all year." Stapleton noted fatigue may have caught up with her players in Saturday's game. The Cougars were only left with ten healthy players. "I think we were a bit fatigued," stated Stapleton. "In the first half we were playing well enough to | win and we just weren't finishing,
and I've come to the conclusion that it may have been because they just mentally
and physically couldn't." After failing to capitalize on an opportunity to break a 67-67 tie late in regulation, the Cougars were outscored 17-7 by the Wesmen in the extra frame. Three Cougars - Andrea Gottselig, Medorann Harris and Corrin Wersta fouled out late in the game, leaving only two players on the bench. Fifth year guard Trena Mott led Regina scorers with 26 points with rookie Corrin Wersta chipping in 19 points. Natalie McVicar paced the Wesmen with 37 points. On Friday, the Cougars dominated the Wesmen and prevailed by an 86-65 margin. Wersta, who has taken over the one of the starting forward positions had a strong game for Regina, nearly scoring a triple-double with 26 points, nine rebounds and nine assists. Mott added 18 points and Gottselig added 15 points for Regina. |
"I don't feel any pressure," Wersta said of her new responsibility as
a starter, "I just forget that I started and go out there and do what I do." Lara Asplin led the Wesmen with 20 points. "They're pissed off at themselves. They know that they're a better team than the one that showed up on Saturday," Stapleton said. The rash of injuries hasn't changed the focus of the team, according to Wersta. The team still has designs on participating in the national championships in March. The loss to the Wesmen snapped the Cougars 8-game winning streak. Prior to Saturday's loss the Cougars last lost the Lakehead University Lady Nor'Westers in November. The weekend split leaves the Cougs with a 4-1 record in GPAC (16-3 overall). The Wesmen are tied for second with the U of Manitoba Bisons at 3-2. |