PRINCE GEORGE – Fresh off a three-point win in a low scoring game on Friday, the Manitoba Bisons decided to run it back on Saturday, beating the University of Northern British Columbia Timberwolves 69-65 at the Charles Jago Northern Sport Centre.

Leading the way once again for the Bisons was forward James Wagner, who followed up a 27-point outburst on Friday with a solid 16 points and ten rebounds on Saturday. Rashawn Browne had 14 points, six assists, and five rebounds as well.

"We played really well as a team this weekend," said Browne. "We had some injuries and some young guys stepped up. It didn't hinder us. Next man up mentality."

Manitoba improves to 5-9 with the win, just two points out of a playoff spot with three weeks to go in the regular season. UNBC falls to 7-7.

"We still have a lot to prove," said Browne. "We are just going to go back to practice on Monday and try to get better again."

Baskets were tough to come by throughout the first half, as the two teams made it difficult on each other. When 20 minutes were up, the visitors held a narrow 29-25 lead. Manitoba's quicksilver guard Browne led all scorers with ten, while Vova Pluzhnikov scored nine points for UNBC.

"They threw some different looks at us, switching up some zone coverages and man coverages," said UNBC forward Hokanson postgame. "If we can be faster in recognizing what teams are playing, that will help us."

?? POST-GAME SOUND

Bisons guard Rashawn Browne talks about his team's "next man up mentality" and how their defence communicated in Saturday's win over UNBC. #gobisons

(video via @UNBCATHLETICS) pic.twitter.com/y76ywqfv2I

— U of Manitoba Bisons (@umbisons) January 13, 2019

The Bisons managed to stretch their lead in the third quarter, with the inside presence of Wagner leading the way. The score heading in to the final frame read 46-38 for the Bisons.

Manitoba held a narrow lead much of the fourth quarter, but things got interesting with less than three minutes to play. With the deficit at ten points, UNBC began to chip away. A James Agyeman three-pointer made it a seven-point game, which shrunk to five thanks to a pair of free-throws from Hokanson.

A Jovan Leamy three-pointer drew the the game to within just two points with just 1:07 to go. With 30 seconds left, the T'Wolves missed a contested layup, and Wagner was able to seal it with a pair of free-throws in the dying seconds.

Manitoba returns home for their first date at IGAC since late November, as they take on the 0-14 Trinity Western Spartans. UNBC heads on the road to play Alberta.