LANGLEY, British Columbia – Trinity Western took an early first quarter lead and never looked back as the home side ran away with an 80-62 women's basketball win over Manitoba on Friday, February 12 at the Langley Events Centre.

The Spartans (5-12) opened a 12-point edge through the first quarter and maintained control the rest of the way. TWU extended its lead to as much as 29 points over the Bisons (1-18) midway through the fourth frame, before cruising to a critical win that helps keep the Spartans playoff hopes alive. 

With the win, the Spartans remain two wins back of a three-way tie for fifth place in the Pioneer Division with three games to play. The top seven teams in the division qualify for the Canada West post-season.

TWU was led by Kayla Gordon, who had 16 points, Jessie Brown, who had 15 points and Tessa Ratzlaff, who added 14 points. For Manitoba, Emma Thompson has a game-high 18 points while captain Jenilyn Monton added 15 points in the road loss.

Led by Gordon, who had eight points in the opening quarter, the Spartans built a 12-point lead, 24-12, after the first 10 minutes. The Spartans shot 57.9 per cent (11-19) from the field while holding the Bisons to 25 per cent (4-16).

The teams traded points in the second quarter, with the Spartans holding at a double-digit lead throughout. TWU extended its lead to as much as 16 points before settling for a 42-28 halftime edge.

With momentum already on their side, the Spartans continued to roll in the third quarter, outscoring Manitoba 23-16 in the frame to go ahead by 19 points, 65-44, after 30 minutes. The Spartans opened a 26-point advantage, at 63-37, before the Bisons put a dent in the TWU lead late in the quarter.

In the fourth quarter, the Spartans pushed their lead to 76-47 before holding off Manitoba down the stretch. The Bisons closed the gap, getting to within 16 points, at 78-62, before the Spartans rounded out the scoring late, hitting 80 points for just the second time this year.

The Spartans and Bisons will play the back end of their two-game weekend series Saturday at 5 p.m. PT at the LEC. Saturday's contest will be the final game of the regular season for Manitoba, while the Spartans finish their regular season on the road against Lethbridge (1-16).