REGINA, SK -
Isaac Simon and
Caiden Kushnir combined for 42 points, as a 55-point first half propelled the Bears to a season-high 98 points in a win over Regina.Â
Nash Semeniuk added 15 off the bench, with all but one Bear scoring in a blowout win over the Cougars. A series split sees the Bears improve to 11-5, and maintain their hold on the #2 seed in the Prairie Division.Â
Simon led Alberta with 22 points on an efficient 9-of-13 shooting night, adding four rebounds, two assists, and two steals in just 25 minutes. Kushnir dominated inside, finishing with 20 points on 8-of-13 shooting and a team-high nine rebounds, setting the tone early with relentless paint pressure.
Off the bench, Semeniuk provided a major spark, scoring 15 points while knocking down 3-of-6 from beyond the arc and dishing out four assists. Carson Fisher added eight points and four rebounds, while Kyle Varner chipped in eight points and three rebounds. Alberta shot 57.6 per cent from the field and received 41 bench points in one of its most complete offensive outings of the season.
For Regina, Sufyan Elkannan paced the Cougars with 17 points, while Ben Kamba added 14 and Isaiah Bay finished with 11 points.
First Quarter
Alberta wasted little time asserting control. Kushnir scored nine first-quarter points, opening the game with a layup at 9:28 and adding two more finishes in the paint as the Bears built an early cushion. Isaac Simon pushed the pace, converting a fast-break layup at 4:57 following his own steal. A three from Kyle Varner at 4:21 stretched the lead to double digits, and Alberta closed the quarter up nine after shooting 70.6 per cent.
Second Quarter
The Golden Bears blew the game open with perimeter shooting and transition offence. Nash Semeniuk buried three triples in the quarter, including makes at 9:28, 7:24, and 2:53, each coming off ball movement. Simon added a three at 8:27, and Nate Waldron punctuated a 19-3 run with a fast-break dunk at 6:30, pushing Alberta ahead 44-25. The Bears entered halftime leading 55-35.
Third Quarter
Alberta maintained control through a measured third. Simon scored six points in the frame, highlighted by a layup at 4:37, while Varner and Kushnir controlled the glass to limit Regina's second chances. The Bears carried a 71-48 lead into the final quarter.
Fourth Quarter
With the outcome settled, Alberta continued to apply pressure. Kushnir threw down a dunk at 8:19, assisted by Mathew Osunde, and Osunde later hit a three at 6:32. Fisher capped his night with a pair of tip-ins in the final two minutes as Alberta closed out the 98-69 victory.
The Golden Bears finished with a 34-point largest lead, controlled the paint 46–26, and forced 17 Regina turnovers, underscoring a dominant road performance.
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