Manitoba Bisons defeated The Winnipeg Wesmen 80-63 Friday night at the
Duckworth Centre. The victory evens the best of three series at 1-1 and
forces a third and deciding game in the series to determine the Great
Plains Division winner and who will travel to the Canada West Final
Four next weekend.
Manitoba had a total team effort on this night with three players scoring in double figures. Sarah Holder led the way for the Bisons with a game high 21 points and 10 rebounds. Rachel Hart and Tessa Klassen pitched in with 14 and 12 points respectiveley. The Wesmen were led by Uzo Asagwara' 20 points. The first quarter saw Winnipeg called for seven fouls which resulted in nine Manitoba points. Manitoba held a slim 19-17 lead after the first quarter. Both teams exchanged points back and forth in the secopnd quarter with the biggest lead being fiove points at 29-24 in Manitoba's favour. Jessica Stromberg of the Wesmen drained back-to-back three pointers to pull the Wesmen ahead by three only to see Leanne Legal Young connect on a three pointer to tie the score at 32-32 at halftime. The second half was a totally different story as Winnipeg struggled shooting 37% from the field compared to 49% for Manitoba. Rachel Hart led the Bisons in the third quarter scoring nine points to help the Bisons take a 58-51 lead after three quarters.
Manitoba kept the pressure on Winnipeg in the fourth quarter outscoring the Wesmen 22-12 to close out game two. Manitoba finished with eight three pointers, including five in the second half. The Bisons were strong at the free throw line going 20-for-23 (87%) compared to 8-for-14 (57%) for the Wesmen.
Game three will take place Saturday night at the Duckworth Centre. Game time is 7:00 p.m.