January 24 - A Winnipeg Wesmen vs Manitoba Bisons match is always a classic. Once again on this night it was as the Winnipeg Wesmen defeated the Manitoba Bisons 3-2 (25-21, 25-23, 18-25, 25-27, 15-10) in a classic thriller at the Duckworth Challenge on Wednesday night.

The victory by the Wesmen tied the 16th Duckworth Challenge at 2-2, which means Winnipeg holds on to the Challenge Title for the third straight year.

The first set was a tight one with both teams exchanging point for point until Winnipeg went on a bit of a run towards the end of the set to win the first set 25-21.

In the second set it was more of the same with both teams not giving each other one space to breath. Winnipeg extended it's lead to 2-0 with a dramatic 25-23 set win.

Manitoba made adjustments in set number three and it seemed to work as the Bisons got back into the match winning the set 25-18.

In the fourth set Manitoba was battling to stay in the match and it showed as the Bisons established a hitting percentage of .441 on their way to a 27-25 set four win.

In the fifth set Winnipeg jumped out to a quick 8-4 lead at the timeout. Key kills by Ben Schellenberg and Richard Wiebe helped the Wesmen extend it's lead to 12-6. The Bisons did try to mount a late charge but the Wesmen held their ground to take the fifth set 15-10.

Richard Wiebe led the Wesmen attack with 15 kills followed by Ben Schellenberg who finished with 14. Andrew Town was named the Winnipeg Wesmen Player of the game finishing with 12 kills and 11 defensive digs.

The Player of the Game for Manitoba was Josh Klassen who finished with a match-high 21 kills. Toon van Lankvelt was next with 19 kills.

The win improves Winnipeg's record to 9-3 and extends it's winning streak to six matches. Manitoba drops to 7-7. The Bison will need to regroup quickly as they host Thompson Rivers on Friday and Saturday evening. Game time is 8:00 p.m. at the Investors Group Athletic Centre.

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