EDMONTON – Third-year forward Reece Hall scored seven of her team-high 21 points in overtime, as the #8 ranked Pandas staved off a miraculous comeback bid from the Regina Cougars in a 78-72 win.
 
Leading by as many as 20 in the second quarter, Regina battled back thanks to a heroic performance from MVP favourite Jade Belmore, who scored a season and game-high 28. Belmore had a chance to win the game with no time left after being fouled on her buzzer-beater attempt from half court, but missed the final free throw to send the game to OT.
 
The win for the Pandas is their 11^th-straight, as they match Saskatchewan with 14-2 records. The loss for Regina drops the Cougars to 13-3.
 
Not only were the Pandas leading 40-20 in the first half, but also entered the final quarter up 10. 10 of Belmore's 28 came in the final quarter, which saw the Cougars star hit a pair of late shots to trim the Pandas lead. Morgan Harris fouled Belmore on the final play of regulation, with Belmore making the first two, and the third shot hitting the back rim.
 
Hall took over the game in overtime, making three shots, including a dagger three to seal the Pandas gutsiest win of the season. Annacy Palmer added 17 for the Pandas, along with 14 from Claire Signatovich, and 12 from Jayden Tanner. 92% of the Pandas points came from their starters.
 
Belmore was joined by 16 points from Rachel Vanderhooft and 12 from Cara Msskey, with Belmore playing all but five seconds of Friday's contest.
 
The Pandas started hot, opening the game with a 7-0 run, which led to a 22-15 lead after the first quarter. Signatovich scored eight of her 14 in the first quarter, making four of her six shots.
 
Another Pandas run, this time a 14-3 margin to start the second, saw the home team up 40-20 midway through the second. Sparked by six points from Belmore, an 11-0 Cougars run however trimmed the lead down to five for the Pandas at the half.
 
The defence and intensity ramped-up in the third, with Alberta outscoring Regina 14-9, extending their lead to 10. Led by 10 points from Belmore, the Cougars quickly marched back, taking their first lead of the game with 3:37 left. The teams traded shots, with three's from Palmer and Hall giving Alberta a five-point lead, setting up the dramatics in the final seconds.
 
The two rivals will meet again tomorrow at 5:00 pm.