Victoria Vikes forward Grant Sitton will likely be in the University of Manitoba Bisons men’s basketball teams nightmares, after dropping a game high 28 points – including nine from beyond the arc, as well as 11 rebounds to lead his squad past the visiting Bisons 85-77 in OT on Friday night.
Sitton scored half of his points in the first quarter en route to a 25-10 lead through the first ten minutes. Manitoba was able to stay composed and eventually tied the game up late in the fourth, taking Victoria to an extra session, but never led in the contest and were consistently stymied by the Vikes zone defence.
The home side did a particularly effective job of shutting down two of the Bison’s biggest playermakers – Wyatt Anders and Justus Alleyn. Anders, the nation’s best rebounder, was held to just five boards and two points while Alleyn had 14 points but shot just 5-of-14 from the field and had only one three-pointer.
For the better half of three quarters, the Vikes also eliminated any second chance points for Manitoba, with guard Reiner Theil leading the charge with 12 rebounds. The herd kept on fighting though and were able to outscore Victoria in the final three quarters, led by AJ Basi’s team leading 17 points and clutch perimeter shooting.
Keith Omoerah and Jonathan Alexander were also critical, specifically in the fourth quarter where they were both aggressive on the glass (seven rebounds each) and helped generate quality ball movement. Alexander was particularly impressive subbing in for Anders, as he tallied all nine of his points in the final ten minutes.
Victoria had the Bison’s number in overtime though, outscoring Manitoba 10-2 and yet again limiting the visitor’s from taking any quality shots from inside the key, with the herd’s only two points coming on free throws.
The two squads will face off again tomorrow in Victoria with game time schedule for 9:00 C.T.
