The Bisons women’s basketball team won against the Lethbridge Pronghorns at the Investors Group Athletic Centre on Nov. 29, putting an end to their four-game losing streak. The Pronghorns faced the Bisons in an 81-59 hard-fought game, but the Bisons emerged victorious.

Despite efforts from the Pronghorns to catch up, the Bisons’ strong offence and defence ensured they held a solid lead throughout the match. The Pronghorns struggled with their shooting, especially from the three-point range, which allowed the Bisons to build an insurmountable advantage by the final whistle.

As the game kicked off, the Bisons set the tone early, quickly jumping out to a lead. The Pronghorns struggled to get their offence going, particularly from beyond the arc, while the Bisons capitalized on their opportunities thanks to Emily Mandamin and Autumn Agar. The defensive pressure from the Bisons made it tough for the Pronghorns to find good shots, and their turnovers allowed the Bisons to push the pace.

By the end of the first quarter, the Bisons led by six points, taking a 23-17 advantage.

The Pronghorns tried to respond in the second quarter, but their shooting woes continued. Despite some good moments on defence from the likes of Kyra Collier, they could not convert their chances on offence. The Bisons, on the other hand, showed composure, playing smart basketball and staying aggressive on both ends of the floor. With key contributions from players like Agar in rebounds and assists, the Bisons extended their lead to 46-34 at halftime, putting them in a comfortable position.

After halftime, the Pronghorns’ struggles became more pronounced as their shooting percentage plummeted. Meanwhile, the Bisons kept up the pressure, with strong performances from Mandamin and Anna Miko, who scored efficiently and helped extend the lead. The Pronghorns failed to find a rhythm, and the Bisons’ defence stifled any chance of a comeback.

As the third quarter came to a close, the Bisons led 62-52, putting the game almost out of reach for the Pronghorns.

The final quarter saw the Pronghorns trying to fight, but it was too little too late. They showed brief flashes of offensive spark from the likes of Courtney Mckee, but their inability to make shots from deep and take advantage of free throws meant they could not close the gap. The Bisons maintained their control, focusing on smart ball movement and free throws to keep their lead intact.

In the end, the Bisons cruised to an 81-59 win, securing a well-earned victory.

For the Pronghorns, Collier and Tobore Okome stood out with their hustle. Collier worked hard to get to the line and made an impact on defence, while Okome brought a fight to the boards.

For the Bisons, Mandamin was a key playmaker, hitting timely shots, especially from the three-point range. Miko also played a vital role, providing energy and finishing well. Agar was solid throughout and Paige Schatkowsky contributed off the bench, helping maintain the team’s momentum.

From start to finish, the Bisons dominated the game with consistent offence and tight defence. The Pronghorns struggled to find their rhythm, particularly from the perimeter, and could not capitalize on free throw opportunities. The Bisons set the pace early, building a solid lead in the first half and never looked back. Despite Lethbridge’s efforts in the second half, their shooting woes continued, allowing the Bisons to maintain control. The Bisons’ balanced scoring and defensive pressure led them to a commanding victory.

The Bisons had a major advantage when it came to converting opportunities to points which was reflected in their three-pointers and free throws. The Pronghorns had a three-point shooting percentage of 10.5 per cent, while the Bisons shot 42.9 per cent from beyond the arc. In terms of free throw shooting, the Pronghorns converted 56.3 per cent of their free throws, whereas the Bisons were significantly more efficient, making 84.6 per cent of their free throw attempts. The game showcased the Bisons’ depth and discipline, while the Pronghorns had moments of promise but ultimately could not overcome their offensive struggles.
When asked about their strategy, the Bisons women’s basketball head coach Michele Sung said, “I think [we] just wanted to be a bit more fluid going off defence this week and how we committed to it in practice. That was good. And we really knew that they had some people that could score in bunches, and we just wanted to try to limit that.”

Regarding the team’s offensive play, Sung mentioned, “it’s the same offence we’ve been running. I thought we were a bit more committed to sharing the ball, getting assists and getting some paint touches, so that just helps it feel like there are more options for everybody on the catch.”

When asked if the team had a fixed squad, she replied, “I think we’re still rotating. I think we played around with some depth options today and differently than we did last weekend. I mean, when you’re losing, you always want to try to find a new solution. And I thought we had a game plan at the beginning of the week, and we committed to it, so we’ll see if it pulls up tomorrow.”

Finally, Sung explained the need for calling a timeout in the fourth quarter. “I think with that one, it was a situational play. We just had one second to get the ball over. So, we wanted to make sure — this was pretty critical. I think they had just scored six in a row — we wanted to make sure they didn’t get that eighth and kind of make it a more attainable game at the end there.”

The Pronghorns faced the Bisons the following day on Nov. 30, defeating the herd 78-64.

The Bisons women’s basketball will play against the Winnipeg Wesmen on Dec. 5 at 6 p.m. CT in the Duckworth Centre.