The U of M Bisons men’s basketball team has made a strong impact during the 2024-25 season, showcasing resilience and determination. The team has experienced both victories and a defeat, staying competitive throughout the campaign.
In the opening game against Brandon University Bobcats at the Investors Group Athletic Centre on Nov. 3, the Bisons kept their composure to beat the opponent 81-74. Brandt Lenz strived for a three-point jump shot at 9:47 in the first quarter to set the pace for the Bisons. At 9:15, Daren Watts did not relent after capitalizing on Lenz’s assist to record a three-point jump shot. Taven Vigilance turned proceedings around for the Bisons with a three-point jump shot at 3:23 with an assist from Tito Obasoto. The Bisons showed dominance in the second quarter as Mason Kraus handed in a layup, assisted by Cieran O’Hara at 7:52. O’Hara had a steal for the Bisons at 6:50 and later topped it up with a dunk at 4:16, assisted by Obasoto. The third and fourth quarters had deciding moments for both teams, but the Bisons overpowered the Bobcats for a victory.
The Bisons came up against the University of Saskatchewan Huskies on Nov. 8. The Bisons defeated their competitor 83-79 to earn the second consecutive win of the season. O’Hara made a layup at the 9:29 mark in the first quarter. Vigilance missed a layup at 1:39, while Andre Gray II missed free throws at 1:19. The second quarter produced individual brilliance from the two teams as O’Hara made a dunk, assisted by Kraus at 1:39. The closing stage of the third quarter was crucial for the Bisons for which Kraus made a layup to set the score 62-62. In the fourth quarter, Obasoto made a free throw at 0:10 to seal the win for the Bisons. The second game against the Huskies on Nov. 9 ended 70-67 for the Bisons.
The season’s first and the only defeat for the Bisons occurred on Nov. 22 as the Regina Cougars won 62-59. The Bisons went to the drawing board to rectify their blunders in game one and emerged eventual winners in game two against the Cougars on Nov. 23 through a final score of 81-57. The first quarter ended 26-10 for the Bisons as Obasoto made a layup at 0:17. The second quarter ended 44-25 for the Bisons with Manyang Tong making a three-point jump shot assisted by Kraus at the 0:19 mark. The score was widened in the third quarter as it ended 60-46 for the Bisons. The fourth quarter could not salvage the situation for the Regina Cougars following their attempts to reduce their deficit.
Following the defeat and win against the Regina Cougars, the Bisons have gone ahead to win their games against the Lethbridge Pronghorns in both game one on Nov. 29 and game two on Nov. 30. The Bisons went all out in game one and won 79-63. There was a slight change in the score for the second game as it ended 77-62 for the Bisons. It was complete domination by the Bisons over the opponent, making them a force to reckon with in the competition.
The Bisons earned bragging rights over city rivals Winnipeg Wesmen after beating them 85-76 on Dec. 5. Beyond the bragging rights, the victory marked a significant turning point for the Bisons as they remain on course to make an impact by the end of the season.
The Bisons, with wins and losses of 7-1, share the top spot of the Canada West Prairie league standings with the University of Calgary Dinos and the Winnipeg Wesmen with a winning percentage of 0.875 each.
The Bisons will play the Brandon Bobcats on Friday, Jan. 10 at 8 p.m. CST and Saturday, Jan. 11 at 7 p.m. CST.
