This weekend, the University of Manitoba men’s basketball team took on the Regina Cougars in a two-game series. The Bisons won 93-81 on Friday and completed the sweep with an 84-75 win on Saturday. With their current streak, the Bisons bring their record back to 6-6.

 

Friday

On Friday, the Bisons cruised to victory against provincial rival Regina by a score of 93-81. The game began pretty competitively, with Regina taking a 20-14 lead by the end of the first quarter. The Bisons responded in the second, keeping things close before they closed out the half on a 9-0 run, taking a 10-point lead into halftime. Alleyn led the herd, scoring 11 of his 21 points in the first half.

The teams played a pretty tight third frame, with the Bisons expanding their lead to 17 entering the final quarter. Manitoba led by as many as 20 points, but later the Cougars went on a 9-0 run, cutting the lead down to just 10 points with just over six minutes to play. The herd answered back with a 9-1 run, and that was enough to hold on for a 93-81 victory. Manitoba was led by Basi second half, who converted 12 of his 19 points.

Justus Alleyn led Manitoba in points with 21, AJ Basi netted another 19; Ilarion Bonhomme (12), Joey Nitychoruk (11), and James Wagner (10) all got into the double figures as well. The Cougars were led by Brandon Tull, who was able to score 16 points, and Alex Igual, who put up another 13 for the home side.

Shots fell 52.5 per cent of the time for the Bisons, and just 37.5 per cent of the time for the Cougars. Manitoba was able to hit 12 three-point shots, including Alleyn and Basi hitting five each, compared to Regina’s six. Those numbers speak volumes about how the herd managed to win the game.

 

Saturday

On Saturday, the Bisons completed the weekend series sweep, as they defeated the Cougars 84-75. The win was Manitoba’s fourth consecutive victory.

Alleyn once again led the Bisons in scoring with 22 points. Keith Omoerah also contributed, with 16 points on the day, while Nitychoruk netted another 13.

The first quarter opened with the two teams playing some competitive ball, and the Cougars were only able to take a slim 17-15 lead into the second frame. Neither team was able to go on a big run in the second quarter, but the Bisons were able to distance themselves enough to take a 33-28 lead into halftime. Bonhomme and Nitychoruk led Manitoba to their halftime lead, as they each put up seven points in the first half.

Regina made things interesting in the third quarter, as they tied the game up early on. The teams continued to exchange chances throughout the frame, but the Bisons were able to go on a late 13-0 run, to give them a big 61-44 lead entering the final quarter. The Cougars made a push, as they put up 31 points in the final quarter, but the Bisons were able to score enough points to hold a lead and win the game. Alleyn scored 16 of his 22 points in the second half, and Basi added another nine. The pair led the Bisons’ second-half charge.

 

The Bisons are on the road again, as they travel to B.C. to take on the Trinity Western Spartans on Jan. 20-21.