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Third-year 6'7" forward Paul Gareau came off the bench to score a game-high 25 points leading Regina to a 90-83 victory over the Toronto Varsity Blues in Regina.  The victory avenges a 24 point loss to the Blues one night prior as the teams split their two game set in Saskatchewan.

The Blues grabbed an early 8 point lead but Gareau scored the final 8 points of the first quarter including a dunk to tie the game and then had Cougars first 4 points of the second quarter, setting up a 24-11 run that gave Regina their largest lead of the half at 12 late in the second.  In all, Gareau had 20 points on 10-12 shooting in an incredible first-half performance.

The Cougars built up a 13-point lead near the six-minute mark of the third quarter, but the Blues finished the third quarter on a 10-1 run to trail by 4 culminated by a three pointer from 6'2" freshman Matt Savel.  The Blues trailed by only one after a layup by 6'3" wing Dakota Laurin with 6 1/2 minutes left in the game and the game remained close until very late when Cougars 5'11" freshman guard Brendan Hebert hit the big dagger three with 2 minutes remaining to extend the lead to 5.  Later 6'0" fifith-year shooting guard Jeff Lukomski added a pair of free throws to give the Cougars a seven point lead with 1:23 left in the fourth, all but icing the game.

Gareau finished 12-for-14 from the field and also had eight rebounds and two blocked shots in just 22 minutes on the floor. Lukomski had 14 points and six assists, while 6'7" fifth-year forward Kris Heshka, rounding into form after an early season injury, had 13 points.  Hebert, who Regina coach James Hillis continues to gain confidence in as his lead guard, scored 10 while playing a team-leading 33 minutes despite not starting.

Scrappy 5'11" guard Justin Holmes led Toronto with 19 points, while 6'4" wing Alex Hill had 12 and 6'6" veteran big Drazen Glisic chipped in with 11.

The Cougars shot 49.3% from the field compared to Toronto's 39.1%.

Regina will be back in action next weekend with a three-game road swing through Montana and North Dakota that will see them take on Montana State-Northern, Great Falls, and Dickinson State.  The Blues travel to Ottawa for the Jack Donohue Memorial tournament next weekend.

Box Score