Regina, SK – A pair of Regina free throws with 4.1 seconds left in overtime lifted the University of Regina Cougars to a 78-76 win over the UFV Cascades on Saturday in Regina.

As it happened: 
The Cascades struck first, going on an 11-0 run, punctuated by a Deanna Tuchscherer triple to take a 21-12 lead in the first quarter. But an 11-3 run for the Cougars capped by Kyu Fust's three-pointer got them right back into it, and the two teams stayed within a single score for the remainder of the first half with Regina taking a 34-32 lead into the break.

Regina led 48-42 heading into the fourth and held the lead until UFV's Deanna Tuchscherer tied the game with a three just past the halfway mark of the quarter. Jade Belmore immediately answered that three with one of her own to retake the lead, but Maddy Gobeil hit another big three for UFV a couple minutes later that put the Cascades up by one with two and a half minutes to go.

UFV led by three in the final minute until Eden Wells hit the first of her two free throws with eight seconds to go. Wells missed the second, but Brenna Metz kept it alive, and Belmore grabbed the rebound following Metz's miss and was fouled herself. Belmore calmly stepped up and drained two free throws to send the game to overtime.
In the extra session, the Cascades trailed by five with under a minute remaining, but a Bernie Leda triple pulled them within two, and a Julia Tuchscherer basket tied the game with just six seconds to go. However, Belmore was fouled after the inbound as she brought the ball up the floor, and she again hit both free throws to seal the win for the Cougars.

Top performers: 
Maddy Gobeil posted 23 points and 10 rebounds to lead the Cascades, while Deanna Tuchscherer added 22 points and two blocks in the game. Julia Tuchscherer finished with 12 points and three assists.

Jade Belmore led the way for the Cougars with 31 points and 12 boards, while Ryenn Schutz picked up the double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds.

Up next:
The Cascades move into the winter break, with their next action coming on January 5 and 6 as they take on Thompson Rivers University in Kamloops.