November 30 - The University of Manitoba scored 32 points in the third quarter to erase an 11-point halftime deficit en route to a 75-73 victory over the Regina Cougars in Canada West men’s basketball action on Friday night at the Centre for Kinesiology, Health & Sport.

The Bisons’ first win of the Canada West schedule was sealed on a block by Myron Dean, who rejected Regina guard Jeff Lukomski’s desperation three-pointer with under a second remaining in the fourth quarter.

Manitoba started the game strong, opening up a ten-point lead by the eight-minute mark of the first quarter and ending the period with an 18-12 lead. The Cougars came storming back, opening the second quarter on a 23-5 run to open up a 38-27 lead at the half.

The third quarter was all Bisons. Manitoba outscored the Cougars 32-18 during the third frame and took the lead for good after a pair of Isaac Ansah free throws with just under two minutes left in the quarter.

Manitoba seized control of the contest in the fourth. The Bisons went on a 15-4 run to open the final quarter and take a 14-point lead with under five minutes remaining. The Cougars then scored 13 consecutive points, but had their comeback bid fall short after Lukomski’s shot was blocked.

Ansah led all scorers with 26 points, with Christopher Pereira (15) and Brian Crowe (13) also breaking into double figures for the Bisons, who improve to 1-8 on the season with the victory.

For the Cougars (4-5), Lukomski had a team-high 22 points. Bryden Wright fell one point short of his first double-double of the season, ending up with 11 rebounds and nine points for the game.

The two teams will play again on Saturday night. Tip-off between the two Great Plains Division rivals is scheduled for 8 p.m. at the CKHS.

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