'There's a huge target on our back': U of R women's basketball maintains No. 1 ranking
The University of Regina (U of R) Cougars women’s basketball team has been ranked number one in U Sports for the fourth consecutive week.
“There’s a huge target on our back, and I think we just kind of take that and use that as motivation,” said Cougars’ guard, Jade Belmore.
The Cougars began their season 7-0 and just suffered their first loss of the season to UBCO. They now sit in second in Canada West behind University of Fraser Valley.
“We’ve kind of developed a culture and we’ve really taken pride in that culture and obviously [we’ve] been successful,” said Belmore. “We’ve been putting a lot of time outside, off the court, and trying to build that and clearly it’s been working.”
“We’re a very selfless team. We are always looking out for each other and there’s such a good connection between us off and on the court,” said Cougars’ guard, Dayna Pearce.
Dave Taylor, who is in his 17th year as head coach and 30th with the program, said this team had to rely on a different skill set in order to see success this season.
“Normally our teams we’ve had have been bigger. We’ve been more of an inside team. This team really relies on the three-point shot a lot and we shoot really well,” said Taylor. “We don’t have a lot of size so we have to change the style of how we play this season,” he added.
“He’s (Taylor) really pushed us. He’s kind of said ‘These are our goals and this is where I see you guys and I believe in you guys.’ So far he’s been correct,” said Belmore on Taylor’s coaching style.
The efforts helped the Cougars sweep the University of Saskatchewan Huskies back in November. The huge feat was not lost on the team, as the Huskies are considered one of their biggest rivalries.
“The Friday night was a great feeling because we had gone into it after losing to them in pre-season. So winning that and, you know, winning by significant amounts and everybody contributing, it was just unreal. Probably one of the best moments so far,” said Pearce.
The Cougars will look to carry that momentum into the second half of the season as the team has now finished the 2022. However, the team knows they have a tough schedule going forward and will need to bring their ‘A’ game in order to maintain their spot atop the rankings.
“It’s a tough stretch because we go six straight weekends and they’re all teams that are very good. In Canada West, it’s so deep that you can lose to any one of those. Our goal is to finish as high as we can in the standings so we can have home playoff games,” said Taylor.
“I think we just have to keep our heads straight and try to focus on the rest of the competition. We’re going to be known as the team to beat but I think every team is going to be a challenge,” said Belmore.
However, Belmore has proven to rise to the challenge on multiple occasions this season, who is leading the team in points so far this season with 165.
“I knew coming out of high school (she would be successful). Obviously her talent, but also what she’s like as a person. Just how hard she works, I’m not surprised at all because this is the kind of player we thought we were going to get,” said Taylor on Belmore.
The Cougars last won a Canada West Championship in the 2017-18 school year but have not won a National Championship since 2000-01. However, the team is not letting the rankings get to their heads.
“We’re hoping (right now) to have home court advantage (come playoffs), but we’ll see. We’ll see how the regular season goes and how far we get, and go from there,” said Pearce.
The Cougars will return to action in the new year where they open 2023 against Victoria.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Minister 'outraged' after AFN national chief's headdress taken from Air Canada cabin
The federal minister of Crown-Indigenous relations is calling on Air Canada to 'make things right' with the national chief of the Assembly of First Nations, who said her headdress was removed from an airplane cabin during a flight this week.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
'Violation': CSIS had officer investigated after she reported a superior raped her
A CSIS officer's allegations that she was raped repeatedly by a superior in agency vehicles set off a harassment inquiry, but also triggered an investigation into her that concluded the alleged attacks were a “misuse” of agency vehicles by the woman.
'Too young to have breast cancer': Rates among young Canadian women rising
Breast cancer rates are rising in Canada among women in their 20s, 30s and 40s, according to research by the University of Ottawa (uOttawa).
'I was scared': Ontario man's car repossessed after missing two repair loan payments
An Ontario man who took out a loan to pay for auto repairs said his car was repossessed after he missed two payments.
Taylor Swift dons Montreal designer's dress in 'Fortnight' video
A pair of Montreal designers' work has now been viewed over 41 million times. Taylor Swift dons a Victorian throwback black gown in her latest music video, 'Fortnight', designed by UNTTLD due Simon Belanger and Jose Manuel Saint-Jacques.
Canada recognizes housing as a human right. Few provinces have followed suit
As more Canadians find themselves struggling to afford or find housing, the country's smallest province is the only one that can point to legislation recognizing housing as a human right.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
What to know about avian influenza in dairy cows and the risk to humans
Why is H5N1, or bird flu, a concern, how does it spread, and is there a vaccine? Here are the answers to some frequently asked questions about avian influenza.