In her last year as a member of the University of Regina Cougars women’s basketball team. Michaela Kleisinger would love nothing more to get one more chance at a national title.
Whether or not that happens won’t be known for a couple of months, but if it doesn’t, Kleisinger has quite the consolation prize after a weekend to remember on her home court.
In Regina’s 92-46 win over Winnipeg on Friday, Kleisinger became the first player since Regina joined Canada West in the 2001-2002 season by recording a triple/double as she had 12 points, 11 rebounds and 11 assists. On Saturday, she followed that up by recording another triple/double in an 84-51 victory by scoring a game high 17 with 12 assists and 11 rebounds.
Kleisinger says she came to the gym Friday afternoon hoping she could get out of a shooting slump and her team could start getting on a roll after starting the season with just one win in four games.
“The shot finally started to fall, but I think we played the best we have all season. For me to do that, my team has to cash in on the opportunities that were given to them and put the ball in the hoop which they did.” Kleisinger said. “Both of those nights don’t happen if it isn’t for them so all the credit goes to those guys.”
Head Coach Dave Taylor has been a part of the team since joining Canada West. He says it was a unique weekend.
“I was kind of surprised we have never had one before when you look at players like Cymone Bouchard.” Taylor said. “It’s hard to say where that stacks up when it comes to all-time games. The one thing I was really happy with was her rebounding. She did a great job of that this weekend.
While Taylor was happy with the rebounding, the Regina native was most happy with the assists.
“That’s my job as a point guard is to get them the ball so they can get it in the hoop so that’s what I’m the proudest of. It’s a weekend I’ll remember for a long time and with my family and our fans being here to see it made it special.”
The 11 assists tied a team record set by three others.
While the women’s team had no problem either night in beating Winnipeg, the men had a tough time with a pesky Winnipeg squad. On Friday night, a buzzer-beater by Matt Barnard gave Regina a 72-71 win. Barnard’s only basket came when he took an inbounds pass and hit a 20 footer to cap off a comeback that had seen the team down 16 at one point in the second half.
On Saturday, Carter Millar had 23 points and 11 rebounds as Regina won its third straight beating the Wesmen 86-78.
The Cougars are on the road next weekend, but its not a long trip as they head to Saskatoon for games against the Huskies.
The next home action for Regina is November 29 and 30 when the University of Alberta comes to the CKHS.
