WINNIPEG – No less than 24 hours after losing a heartbreaker to the University of Saskatchewan Huskies, the Bisons (5-9) were right back at it against the top-ranked Alberta Pandas (11-3) on Saturday night at the Investors Group Athletic Centre.

The Pandas were fresh off a victory over the Wesmen the night before, and were eager to leave the province on a two game-win streak. Despite great play from the Bisons in the first half, the Pandas stuck around and eventually went ahead of the Herd, winning the game 77-63.

The game got started on sour note as both teams missed their initial shots. The Pandas seemed slow to react to the Herds style of play as Manitoba took a four point lead through the better part of the opening quarter.

Going into the second, with the score 18-13 for Manitoba, the Pandas looked visibly frustrated as Bison forwards Jenna Ralston and Lauren Mortier both made excellent drives to the hoop in transition. Later in the frame, Alberta was able to regain some composure and climb back into the game tying it up at 24 points. Closing out the half, the Herd went on a 9-2 run before the pandas made any sort of comeback to finish the half at 33-31 for the Bisons.

It was evident that the Bison defense was a factor in the first half as the Pandas shot a mediocre 26 percent from the field. Ralston was the only player to shoot in double figures in the half with 11 points for Manitoba.

A big three-pointer from Bison guard Tessa Klassen started the second half on the right foot, but Alberta came on strong from that point. Two minutes into the third quarter the Pandas had their first lead of the game at 37-36. Late in the quarter, Manitoba found themselves down by seven, and unable to make things happen under the basket. Stretching their lead by 15 points the Pandas took a 57-42 score into the final quarter.

Another three-ball started the quarter for Manitoba, but Alberta quickly picked up where the third frame left off and began to build on their lead. The Bisons did manage to string a few plays together, but the Pandas were too much, and ran out the remainder of the game for the 77-63 win.

Tessa Klassen lead all player with 18 points in the game, followed by Kait Flett, who had 14 points on the night for the Bisons. The Pandas’ Katie Barrett had 14 points of her own.

Next week, the Bisons will head out west to play a pair of games against Pacific Division teams: Thompson Rivers and Fraser Valley respectively. January 18 and 19 are the dates, and both games start at 8 pm local time.