Box Score The University of Manitoba men's basketball team took charge of their home court beating the Regina Cougars 84-58 on Friday, January 24 at the Investors Group Athletic Centre. The Bisons have now scored 80+ points in three of their last five conference games.
 
The two teams went into the very close in the western conference standings. Manitoba improves to 3-12 with their second consecutive win while Regina drops to 3-12 as they now have lost three in a row. They're a month away playoffs and the Bisons want to work with this momentum in the last games of the Canada West season.
 
"In the second half we were playing some good ball. We were playing some good defense and I hope we can build on that," said Manitoba head coach Kirby Schepp.
 
Manitoba pulled ahead in the first and they did it fast. They came into the game with a lot of drive and energy and it showed on the scoreboard.  Bison forward Dan Penner put up 11 points, including a 3-pointer.  Cougar guard Brendan Hebert had five points. The home side dominated and the period ended at 25-11. 
 
The visitors pushed to catch up in the second period but were unsuccessful. Manitoba was on a roll with quick passes and accurate shooting. At the half, the score was 46-25. Regina started the second half quickly with a couple good shots but were too far-gone to close the gap during the last 20 minutes and the Bisons took the game by 26 points.  
 
Penner scored a game high of 21 points, with one smooth three-point shot and nine rebounds. His teammate Andre Arruda finished at 14 points.  Cougars players Travis Sylvestre and Kade Marra put up the most for their team with 10 and nine points respectively.
 
Manitoba and Regina play again on Saturday, January 25 in the second game of a weekend series. The game starts at 7pm CT at Investors Group Athletic Centre (U of M campus).