The University of Manitoba Bisons ran their winning streak to four on Saturday, defeating the University of Northern British Columbia Timberwolves 80-70 in Canada West men’s basketball action at the Northern Sport Centre.
The Timberwolves rallied from a 23-point deficit in the third quarter to get within eight in the final minutes, but the Bisons closed out the win. The loss drops the Timberwolves back to .500 with a 5-5 record on the year. With the weekend sweep, the Bisons move to 9-1 as they keep sole possession of first place in Canada West.
“They are a very gritty team, they pushed us to the end,” Bisons’ Mason Kraus said after the game. “Our composure helped us. We knocked down our free throws and succeed in getting the game over.”
Undeterred by a slow start, the Timberwolves pushed hard in the second half. Darren Hunter capped a late third-quarter run with a three at the buzzer as UNBC won the period to shrink Manitoba’s lead to 56-40. But it was the fourth quarter when the Timberwolves started heating up in earnest. Dylon Matthews cut the lead to 11 with a three-pointer and Chris Ross followed up with a three-point play of his own, hitting a free throw with 1:33 on the clock to make the score 74-66.
“We came out a little bit slow. We were just missing shots and that brought our energy down a little bit and they got out on the break,” Ross said. “I was proud of the way our guys fought to get back into it. Coming back after the break is always tough, but we’re hoping to use that last-quarter momentum into the next game.”
The Bisons came into the contest with the conference’s top-ranked defence, and it was on display as they clamped down on the Timberwolves, giving the home team few good looks.
“We’re a young team, so we really focus on defence,” Kraus said. “We know we’re not the most skilled team in the league, so we need to pick it up on D and push the pace.”
The Timberwolves battled valiantly throughout the game, fighting for rebounds and battling against a big Bisons team in the paint, but were unable to find their rhythm until midway through the second half.
“Our team is full of fighters and that’s when we’re playing our best,” Ross said. “That underdog mentality really helps us.”
Kraus led the Bisons with 23 points. Micah Jesse scored 19 for the Timberwolves. Ross had a game-high 12 rebounds to go with his eight points.
The Bisons built an early lead, scoring 13 straight after UNBC opened the scoring on its first position. By the end of the first quarter the visitors were up 20-11, a lead they pushed to 45-27 at the half.
The Timberwolves hit the road next week, travelling to Victoria to take on the Vikes. The Bisons are also away from home, visiting the Brandon Bobcats. UNBC’s next home game is a rare Friday matinee when the Winnipeg Wesmen come to town on Nov. 20. The game will tip-off at noon as elementary school students from around Prince George will pack the stands at the Northern Sport Centre.
