Despite a late surge by the Manitoba Bisons, the #2 UBC Thunderbirds men's basketball team held on to win 96-89 in front of a raucous home opening crowd at War Memorial Gym.

UBC improves to 3-0 in young conference season while Manitoba sits now at 2-3.

The 'Birds led by as many as 26 points halfway through the third quarter before the Bisons clawed back to within four with just over three minutes remaining. A few costly Thunderbird turnovers allowed Manitoba to regain confidence in the fourth, as they finished the game shooting 44 percent from beyond the arc. 

With the 'Birds hanging on 80-76 with 3:40 left on the clock, Will Ondrik came up with a massive block to preserve the lead. Shortly after, Taylor Browne hit a dagger three from the corner to put UBC up seven – and they never looked back.

Jordan Jensen-Whyte got the ball rolling early for UBC with a steal that Conor Morgan converted for two. With the game tied 8-8, Morgan snatched a steal of his own that he hammered home with a thunderous dunk. 

Ondrik's only three-pointer of the game gave the 'Birds a five point lead that they extended to a 16 point margin, up 46-30 at the break. 

Morgan dropped 20 in the first half and opened the third quarter with an and-one, but Manitoba started to close the gap as the third quarter drew to a close. The Bisons' dynamic guard Ilarion Bonhomme caught fire and hit back-to-back threes to make it a 72-56 UBC advantage going into the final frame. 

For the Bisons, Bonhomme had a team-high 31 points, six rebounds and five assists while Keith Omoerah had 18 points and eight borads plus AJ Basi added 11 points. 

The rematch is slated for 9 p.m. CT Saturday, Nov. 19 evening.