The Manitoba Bison men’s basketball team opened up the second half of their season at home, looking to gain momentum after the winter break. Instead, the Bisons suffered two separate losses by a single point as the team let two potential wins slip away.
Manitoba welcomed two separate teams from B. C. to town, hosting the Trinity Western Spartans (6-5) on Friday night. The Bisons led by 16 points in the third quarter, but let the Spartans come back to win 85-84.
The Bisons came out hot in the first half, shooting 21-for-33 from the field and led by Amarjit Basi, who scored 15 points off the bench. Trinity Western kept things close and did a good job of preventing turnovers. Despite the Spartans’ safe play, Manitoba still went into the break leading 54-41 and seemed poised to end their nine-game losing streak.
Trinity Western stayed patient and slowly worked their way back into the game in the second half. Mark Perrin led the Spartan comeback and finished the game with a team-high 20 points. Free throws were the difference in this one, as the Bisons let 13 free throw points bounce out.
The Spartans—who were in front just twice in the second half—capped the comeback in exciting fashion. Robert Rodriguez charged into the paint, hitting a leaning floater while being fouled with just five seconds left to steal the lead and ultimately the win.
Despite the loss, the Bisons still had bright spots, none bigger than freshman Andre Arruda. He finished with 22 points, leading all scorers.
Head coach Kirby Schepp spoke highly of his young star after the game.
“[Andre’s] probably the Canada West rookie of the year right now; I can’t see any way he’s not. He’s got a real bright future ahead of him, no question.”
The men returned to the court the following evening looking to avenge Friday’s loss. But it was déjà vu for the Bisons, as they fell by a single point to the University of the Fraser Valley Cascades (7-5).
The Cascades took control of the game from the start and led by as many as 11 points in the second quarter. Despite the deficit, Manitoba stayed composed. Two late three-pointers helped to cut the Cascades’ lead. The teams went into the half with the visitors leading by six points.
The Bisons came out energized in the third quarter and upped their physicality. The strategy paid off, as they took their first lead late in the third quarter. In the waning moments of the quarter, Kevon Parchmen hit a shot that gave the Cascades the lead back heading into the fourth.
Turnovers haunted Manitoba in the final quarter, ultimately costing them the game. Despite three straight Bison three-pointers late in the game, the Cascades were still able to hold on, grinding out the 84-83 win.
Jasper Moedt finished with a double-double and led the Cascades with 23 points and 16 rebounds. Bison Dan Penner also recorded a double-double, with 19 points and 10 rebounds.
The Bisons drop to 1-11 on the year, and have now fallen in 10 consecutive conference games. They will travel to Brandon next, on Jan. 17 and 18, to face the Bobcats.
