LETHBRIDGE – The University of Manitoba Bisons defeated the University of Lethbridge Pronghorns, 89-86, in Canada West Men’s basketball action this evening. Both the Bisons and the Horns had hot shooting nights, the Pronghorns from behind the arc (45%) and Manitoba from the field in general (52%).

Both teams came out forcing the action with constant end to end action. Shawn Nelson (Stirling, AB, 3rd year) started the game on fire, hitting five first half threes, many of the spectacular nature. He finished with 18 first half points, but Manitoba had their answer in star guard Issac Ansah (Winnipeg, MB, 4th year) who hit for 15 in the first two frames. The closely contested affair came to a 42-38 result at the half.

The second half saw both teams continue the torrid pace. The Horns kept continuously on the heels of the Bisons and finally were rewarded with just over two minutes remaining in the third when a Nelson jumper put the Horns up 58-57. The lead would change hands another 11 times before all was finished.

On the game the Horns would hit thirteen threes, compared to six for the Bisons. The Bisons relied on a big night from post Brian Crowe (Victoria, BC, 3rd year) to keep the Horns shooters from taking over the lead, as he struck for 23 points, including 17 in the second half.

Leading the charge for the Horns was Danhue Lawrence (Toronto, ON, 2nd year) who finished with 27 points. Nelson’s hot shooting night resulted in 23 for the home squad, while Ryan Anderson (Lethbridge, AB, 4th year) hit for 12.

Ansah and Crowe led the Bison attack with 23 each.

The win moves the Bisons to 5-15, while the Horns dip to 3-17.