The U of M Bisons men’s basketball team split their weekend series against the Regina Cougars at the Investors Group Athletic Centre. On Friday, Nov. 22, the Bisons were edged out 62-59 in a tight contest, but secured a spectacular 81-57 victory on Saturday, Nov. 23.

In game one, the Bisons had a slow start as Cougars fired a two-point lead through Ben Kamba’s jump shot at the 9:26 mark. This lead did not distract the Bisons as they mapped up a team play to take a 19-17 lead by the end of the first quarter.

The Bisons were composed in the early minutes of the second quarter, taking a 25-17 lead at the 7:57 mark, when Samuel Jensen earned three points with a jump shot, assisted by Mason Kraus. As the clock ticked, the Cougars adjusted their approach as Kamba made a layup for two points, bringing the score to 27-27 at the 5:08 mark. That became a turning point for the Cougars as they held on to their dominant position to end the quarter at 37-32.

In the third quarter, the Bisons did not hesitate for a comeback after taking a 45-44 lead at the 1:38 mark, following Taven Vigilance’s layup, assisted by Cieran O’Hara. But that could not thwart the Cougars’ strength of character as Arinze Emeka-Anyakwo rose to the occasion with a remarkable layup for his team’s 46-45 lead in the end.

The Bisons and the Cougars had resounding takeoffs in the fourth quarter. The Cougars’ Christian Tabiri came in with a layup for two points, assisted by Zachary Hillis at 9:50, while the Bisons’ Vigilance raked in a three-point jump shot with an assist by Mayang Tong to set the score 48-48 at the 8:55 mark.

As the game’s dynamic changed, players on both teams threw air balls and glass balls leading to few bricks. With the Bisons getting behind 60-51, Kraus made a layup for 60-55 score at 1:56, followed by a steal and dunk by Darren Watts at 1:11. Tong’s layup at 0:38, assisted by Kraus, elevated the score to 61-59. Kamba’s last free throw earned a point and won the game 62-59 for the Cougars.

The Bisons men’s basketball head coach Kirby Schepp noted that his team did not provide enough shots which affected their ability to score.

“I thought we really struggled offensively. We just didn’t shoot it well, we didn’t get great shots and as a result, we struggled to score. They played very physical and I don’t think we dealt with that physicality very well,” said Schepp.

Schepp looked forward to an improved performance.

“There’s lots of things to look at. We’ll definitely watch film and try to adjust and see if we can come back better tomorrow.”

Despite the defeat, it was a memorable night for the Bisons guard Kraus as he set a school record for career steals. His 154 steals smashed a 13-year school record set in 2011 by Eric Garcia.

Kraus explained what led to his team’s defeat in the game.

“I think [the Cougars] out-rebounded us. We forced, I think, 11 or 12 more turnovers than them. But if they get, I think it was 18 more rebounds, then you can’t win games. Even though we lost by three, like that’s even if we cut it down to like 10, we win the game by like 10 points. So we just got to clean up the gas. They’re physical on the glass. They just bullied us tonight. So we just got to react with that energy,” said Kraus.

He continued, “it’s just like we all know we’re playing for each other. So if I don’t dive, why should anyone else dive? If [Tong] doesn’t hustle, why should anyone else hustle? So we all just know we keep each other accountable. We all fight for loose balls. Now we just got to fight for rebounds. We just know it’s our accountability for each other.”

The guard recounted how events unfolded in the closing moments of the fourth quarter.

“Honestly, I thought it was in, but I missed I think like five or six easy ones in a row. I thought that one was going to go in. They all looked good. They felt good. I would shoot them all again. I just got to knock them down next time.”

The Bisons turned things around in game two on Saturday to beat the Cougars 81-57. The Bisons took a 26-10 lead in the first quarter, an 18-15 lead in the second quarter and a 21-11 lead in the fourth quarter, while the Cougars took charge of the third quarter with a 21-16 lead.

With four wins and one loss, the Bisons men’s basketball team are fourth on the Canada West Prairie league standings with a winning percentage of 0.800.

The Bisons will host the Lethbridge Pronghorns on Friday, Nov. 29, at 8 p.m. CT and Saturday, Nov. 30, at 7 p.m. CT in the Investors Group Athletic Centre.