CALGARY — The Winnipeg Wesmen will take a split — and a winning record — into their home-opening weekend.

The Wesmen women's basketball team ended its first true road trip of the season suffering a 72-55 Canada West conference setback to the Mount Royal Cougars Saturday night. 

Maddy Hooper had 18 points as the Cougars (4-2) bounced back from a Friday night loss. 

The Wesmen fell to 2-1 ahead of their home-opener Nov. 22 against the MacEwan Griffins. 

After an impressive fourth-quarter surge led the Wesmen to victory on Friday, the Cougars made sure there was no such repeat in the return match, outscoring the Wesmen 16-8 in the final period to win going away. 

After falling behind 25-11 after a quarter, the Wesmen were able to cut the margin to 45-36 heading into the half. 

Jazmin Birch had 15 points on 6-for-8 shooting to lead the Wesmen, who were held to 33.9 per cent shooting from the field. Raia Guinto added 11 points. 

The Cougars got 16 points and a game-high 14 rebounds from Nora Luca and out-rebounded Winnipeg 54-36 including 24-9 on the offensive glass. 

The Wesmen will host the Griffins with a 6 p.m. tip time on Friday at the Duckworth Centre.