Box Score WINNIPEG, MB – There was plenty of energy on both sides of Friday's (Jan. 29) men's basketball game between the Regina Cougars and the Manitoba Bisons at Investors Group Athletic Centre on January 29. The game got incredibly close near the end, but Manitoba held on to an early lead to win 89-82. Manitoba now sits at 10-5 for the season, while Regina is 8-5.
 
Manitoba took advantage of Regina's early turnovers to seize momentum and take a 15-point lead at halftime. The Cougars fought their way back to outscore the home team in the second half, but it wasn't quite enough to overcome their early deficit.
 
"Standings-wise, this weekend is big for both teams," said Bisons Head Coach Kirby Schepp. "Tomorrow night we have to take care of our rebounding or it could be a different story."
 
During the first quarter, both teams traded the lead a few times. Manitoba's guard Amarjit Basi's three three-pointers made the difference, leading his team to a 25-20 lead for the quarter.
 
An impressive dunk by Manitoba forward Keith Omoerah was a turning point for the home team in the second quarter. Regina continued to put up points, but they struggled to hold back Basi and guard Justus Alleyn who both scored multiple threes to give their team a 50-35 lead heading into halftime.
 
The Cougars, led by forward Stephen Shields, started the second half determined to claw their way back to a lead, scoring a ten-point run early in the third. Manitoba followed that with a six-point run of their own, but found themselves being outplayed in the third. Regina outscored the home team 21-14, making it a 64-56 game starting the fourth quarter.
 
Regina did not let up in the final quarter, quickly making it a two-point game. Fouls plagued both sides, bringing both teams to an early bonus. The last turning point came when Regina guard Jonathan Tull fouled out of the game with a charging call, then Basi drained a three to make it 76-71. Manitoba finished with an 89-82 win.
 
Manitoba's Basi led the game with 27 points. Regina's Shields led his team with 21 points. Omoerah led the game's rebounding with 14, and guard Brandon Tull led Regina with 9 rebounds.
 
The two teams will play each other again tomorrow, Jan. 30 at 6 p.m. CT at Investors Group Athletic Centre.
 
 
SCORING BY QUARTER
MAN: 25-25-14-25: 89
REG: 20-15-19-28: 82
 
SCORING LEADERS
MAN: AJ Basi (27), Justus Alleyn (16), Keith Omoerah (16) 
REG: Stephen Shields (21), Brandon Tull (15), Will Tallman (10)
 
REBOUNDING LEADERS
MAN: Keith Omoerah (14), Brett Jewell (6), Jonathan Alexander (4)
REG: Brandon Tull (9), Stephen Shields (8), Will Tallman (7)