Box Score Winnipeg, MB – It was a high-intensity men's basketball matchup at Investors Group Athletic Centre, where the University of Manitoba Bisons hosted the #8 University of Saskatchewan Huskies on January 23.  Both teams had a strong offensive showing, taking the lead at different points in the game. It all came down to the last minute, when the Huskies were able to fend off the Bisons to win 92-87.
 
The first quarter saw both offenses trading the lead, ending with a 24-23 advantage for the visiting Huskies after a couple successful three-pointers in the last two minutes.
 
Saskatchewan managed to hold onto their narrow lead for the rest of the first half, though Manitoba was never far behind. Both teams struggled to sink three-pointers despite many attempts, but successful lay-ups and jumpers inside the paint made the difference for the visitors who closed the half leading 46-41.
 
The home team turned up the offensive pressure in the second half. A three-pointer followed by a lay-up by guard Amarjit Basi tied up the game at 62 with two minutes left in the quarter.
 
At this point, both teams improved their shooting from behind the arch. Saskatchewan's forward, Dadrian Collins, scored his second three of the quarter to bring the Huskies back to the lead and he was followed by another three from Huskies guard Evan Ostertag. Manitoba's guard, Stephan Walton, scored a three at the end of the quarter – bringing the score to 72-67 heading into the final.
 
The Bisons increased their offensive pressure in the fourth quarter. Basi led the charge with another lay-up and three-pointer combo to bring Manitoba to an early 73-72 lead – their first lead of the second half. Saskatchewan's Collins tied the game at 81 with three minutes left.
 
The score was 89-87 for the visiting team with 37 seconds left on the clock when Manitoba's Head Coach, Kirby Schepp, called a timeout. A steal by Huskies guard Ben Baker, followed by a foul, made it a three-point game after one successful free throw. A second turnover sealed the deal and would lead to a five-point margin for the visiting team. The Huskies captured the win with a final score of 92-87.
 
"They were plus eleven on rebounding in the first half, which dug us a bit of a hole," said Coach Schepp, "rebounding was really the story of the game."
 
Planning for tomorrow's (Sat., Jan. 24) game, Schepp says his team will be looking to do a better job of staying in position on defense in order to get more rebounds and make plays.
 
Manitoba's Basi led the game in points with 33, 15 of which were from three-pointers. Collins was the leading scorer for Saskatchewan with 20 points.
 
This win brings the Huskies to 9-4 for the season, while Manitoba is now at 9-6 for the season. The teams are third and fourth place, respectively, in their Pioneers Division. The two teams will meet again at Investors Group Athletic Centre at 7p.m. CT tomorrow, January 24.