REGINA, SK - In a battle of two of the top four ranked teams in U SPORTS Women's Basketball, the #4 Regina Cougars improved to 15-0 with an 83-66 win over the #2 Pandas. 

The Pandas made just 29% of their shots, compared to a 44% clip from the Cougars. The loss drops Alberta to 12-3, and three full games behind both Regina and Saskatchewan for top spot in the Prairie Division. 

Annacy Palmer led Alberta with 17 points, knocking down 4-of-10 from three and adding four rebounds in 28 minutes. Jayden Tanner followed with 14 points, doing most of her damage at the free-throw line (8-for-10) while also grabbing two rebounds. Kiah Easton-Ihediohanma provided a spark off the bench with 12 points on 3-of-8 shooting from beyond the arc.

For Regina, Jade Belmore was the difference-maker, finishing with a game-high 23 points, shooting 6-of-10 from the field and a perfect 4-of-4 from three. Cara Misskey added 16 points and six assists, while Izzi Fust chipped in 11 points, including three triples.

First Quarter

The teams traded early momentum in an up-tempo opening frame. Palmer opened Alberta's scoring with a three at 9:10, assisted by Tanner, and later added another triple at 7:28 to briefly give the Pandas the lead. Regina responded with efficient perimeter shooting, as Belmore and Eden Wells combined for three first-quarter threes. A late fast-break layup from Wells at 0:23 pushed the Cougars ahead 24-20 after ten minutes.

Second Quarter

Regina began to stretch the margin in the second. After Palmer converted a pull-up jumper at 8:12, Regina answered with consecutive threes from Izzi Fust, including makes at 7:04 and 0:48, the latter assisted by Lily Vande Graaf, to extend the lead. Alberta stayed within reach through free throws from Tanner and a late jumper by Morgan Harris, but Regina carried a 40-33 advantage into halftime.

Third Quarter

Alberta made a push early in the third. Tanner scored seven points in the frame, including free throws at 8:18, while Easton-Ihediohanma hit a three at 6:06 off a feed from Rylee Semeniuk to cut the deficit to ten. Regina countered decisively at the line, where Belmore went 7-for-7 in the quarter, helping the Cougars maintain a 64-53 lead heading into the fourth.

Fourth Quarter

Regina closed the door with balanced scoring and strong defensive pressure. Belmore opened the quarter with a jumper at 9:34, and a three at 8:36 pushed the lead to 16.