There was a plethora of University of Manitoba teams away from the familiar confines of the Wayne Fleming Arena or Investors Group Athletic Centre this weekend. The Bison men’s basketball team got their season underway in Saskatoon with a pair of wins against the Huskies, the Bison volleyball teams got swept in Calgary, and the women’s volleyball team swept the Mount Royal Cougars.
Men’s basketball opens regular season with sweep over Saskatchewan
The Bison men’s basketball team, fresh off making a run to U SPORTS nationals last season, opened their regular season with a pair of wins over the University of Saskatchewan.
On Friday, the Bisons won 86-78, holding the lead for the majority of the game. Justus Alleyn led the way for Manitoba, scoring a game-high of 33 points, adding three assists and two rebounds. Rashawn Browne had 19 points, seven rebounds, and five assists in the victory.
Manitoba grabbed a decisive 81-58 win on Saturday, scoring 30 points in the third quarter. It was second-year forward James Wagner’s night, as he had a game high 30 points, adding five rebounds and three assists. Browne and Alleyn both hit double digits, scoring 15 and 11 respectively. Joey Nitychoruk led Manitoba on the glass with nine rebounds.
The Bisons will open their season at home next weekend to host the Regina Cougars on Nov. 3-4.
Bison volleyball swept in Calgary
It was a weekend to forget for the Bison volleyball teams, as they rolled into Calgary to play the University of Calgary.
The men fell 3-1 on Friday, and 3-2 on Saturday. The women lost a close five setter on Friday, and failed to win a single set on Saturday.
Kearley Abbott had 23 kills over the weekend for the women, 17 of which came on Friday. The second year right side hitter is averaging 3.06 kills per set so far this season. Abbott is tied for third in the Canada West with 49 kills through four games. Brittany Habing had 29 digs in the two game series, she’s averaging 2.88 on the young season.
On the men’s side, Scott Vercaigne smacked home 43 kills over the weekend, bringing his total to a team best 72 through four games. Rookie libero Kyle Martens had a combined 17 digs over the weekend, moving his total to 31, good enough for fourth best in the Canada West.
The Bisons will have a conference by next weekend before heading back to Alberta, this time to play a two game series against the University of Alberta in Edmonton on Nov. 10-11.
Women’s hockey sweeps Mount Royal
This weekend the Bisons women’s hockey team was back on the road, paying a visit to Mount Royal University in Calgary. The Bisons got back to form, sweeping the Cougars over the weekend series.
Friday’s game was a back-and-forth affair, but the herd got ahead and held on for a 4-3 win.
Jordyn Zacharias started things off for Manitoba at 12:09 of the first period, with her second goal of the year. Kate Hufnagel snagged her second of the season for the Cougars just three minutes later to tie things at 1-1.
Lauryn Keen and Nicolette Seper traded goals for their respective teams in the second period, once again three minutes apart. Manitoba grabbed a two goal lead with two unanswered markers in the third frame – Alanna Sharman with her second of the campaign and Zacharias with her second of the game – and held on despite another goal by Seper in the final minute.
Rachel Dyck and Lauren Taraschuk both got time in the blue paint for the Bisons in the win.
Saturday’s game was just as tight, but the Bisons were able to eke out a 1-0 victory to sweep the series.
Venla Hovi had the lone goal for the Bisons, picking up her team and Canada West leading ninth point in the game. Taraschuk made 16 saves in the game, taking home her first career shutout with the win.
The herd improve to 5-3 on the year, and move into a tie with UBC for second in Canada West.
The Bisons will be back in action for a home series when they host the University of Regina Cougars on Nov. 10-11.
