Box Score WINNIPEG, MB  - Despite putting up a strong offensive game in the first half, the University of Manitoba Bisons fell 68-56 to the University of Victoria Vikes in women's basketball action at the Investors Group Athletic Centre on Saturday, January 10.
 
The Bisons opened up the scoring early, taking a 9-2 lead in the first three minutes of the game. The Vikes closed the scoring gap to trail 11-9 midway through the quarter, but were held without a basket for the last four minutes of the period. Manitoba added seven more points off Victoria turnovers to lead 18-9 heading into the second.  
 
The Vikes retaliated in the second, scoring seven unanswered points at the end of the quarter to come back from an 11-point deficit and close the half up 33-32.
 
Neither team found the net until just over two minutes into the third, when Victoria's Nicole Karstein sunk two free throws to give her team a 35-32 lead. The Vikes led for the rest of the quarter to finish ahead 47-39 going into the fourth.
 
The Bisons took back control in the beginning of the fourth with three-point jumpers from Jenilyn Monton and Stephanie Gill, but lost momentum as the Vikes responded two three-pointers of their own to claim the 68-56 victory.
 
The loss drops the Bisons to 1-11 over the season, while the Vikes move to 4-6 and extend their win streak to two games after a 72-57 victory over the Bisons Friday night.
 
"It was a different feel today," said Bisons head coach Michele Hynes. "We had great all-around scoring, but our shots weren't falling in the second half. We face a tough team next weekend and we need to get back to work and play hard."
 
Both teams play next Friday, January 16. The Bisons play next on the road against the University of Alberta at 6 p.m. MST. The Vikes host the University of Winnipeg Wesmen at 6 p.m. PST.