EDMONTON - An 18-0 run early in the third quarter propelled the Alberta Golden Bears to a 93-76 win over the Regina Cougars, Friday night at Saville Community Sports Centre. 

Trailing by one at the half, the Bears outscored Regina 32-12 in the third quarter, using their offensive surge to pick up their second-straight win. Now 6-9, the Bears leapfrogged the Cougars for sixth spot in the Prairie Division of Canada West, two games clear of Brandon in the playoff race. 

Isaac Simon recorded his second double-double of the season, adding 10 assists to his game-high 23 points for Alberta. Kyle Varner and Fahad Yusuf added a dozen each for a Bears team that shot 52% from the field in the win. 

Christian Tabiri and Lodie Kenyi led Regina with 15 points each, with the Cougars suffering their second-straight loss. 

The key to Friday night's win was the three-point barrage from the Bears, who hit 14 of their 29 attempts. Regina mustered just seven makes on 27 attempts by comparison. 

The Bears led by 13 after the first, thanks to eight points from Simon and six from Nate Waldron. The Bears made 55% of their shots in the first. Kenyi scored nine of his 15 points in the first quarter to keep the game within reach. 

A quick 21-7 run from the Cougars saw the visitors storm ahead, and take a 43-42 lead into the half. Regina made nine of their 16 shots in the quarter, taking their first lead in the game since the opening moments. 

The game of runs continued in the third quarter, this time Alberta seeming unstoppable on offence. Alberta went on an 18-0 run early in the second half, going 10/14 from the field, and 5/8 from beyond the arc to secure a lead they wouldn't relinquish. Simon and Kyle Varner scored seven each in the third, to go along with six from Yusuf. 

Leading by 19, the Bears felt little pressure from the Cougars in the fourth en route to the 17-point win. 

The two 6-9 squads will meet again tomorrow night at 7:00 p.m.