WINNIPEG – The Winnipeg Wesmen (4-4) completed a weekend sweep of the Manitoba Bisons (2-4) in the latest edition of the cross-town rivalry Saturday, winning the fourth quarter 29-14 on their way to a 90-83 win at the David F. Anderson Gymnasium.
After more of a defensive battle in Thursday's Duckworth Challenge game, where the Wesmen won 73-56, both teams had an explosive offensive performance among their veterans.
For Manitoba, it was fourth-year Taylor Randall, who dropped a season-high 28 points, six rebounds, five assists, and five steals — shooting 10-for-26 from the field and 6-for-12 from three.
The Bisons were benefitted by better ball movement as well, assisting on 19 of their 31 made baskets.
"We talked about the adjustment from Thursday was getting more team assists and I thought we did a great job of that," said Bisons head coach Michele Sung. "We had great looks, can't complain."
Winnipeg's lead performance came from fifth-year Lena Wenke, who has taken more of the offence with the absence of leading scorer Faith Hezekiah. Wenke was an excellent 7-for-12 from the field for 24 points, also making her impact felt on defence with six steals.
The Wesmen also got 19 points and six boards from first-year Anna Kernaghan and 15 points from Robyn Boulanger, who was their leading scorer on Thursday.
Winnipeg continued their Thursday momentum with an early lead, as a 7-0 first quarter run — keyed by three-pointers by Boulanger and Deborah Nkiasi — gave the home team a 27-19 advantage after one.
Manitoba battled back towards the end of the half, though, as a pair of three-pointers from Randall started a 12-5 Bisons spurt in the middle of the second quarter. Outside shooting was a boon for Manitoba all afternoon, as the team shot 40% from distance (12-for-32).
With the game tied at 45, Manitoba dominated the third quarter, going on a 9-0 run on three straight triples from Randall, Emma Thompson, and Lauren Bartlett to jump out to an eight-point lead.
The Wesmen would come back in the fourth, though, taking the lead for good on a Wenke three-pointer with 2:30 left.
The Bisons finish the first half of the season at home next weekend against the Fraser Valley Cascades. Game times are November 29 at 6 p.m. and November 30 at 5 p.m.
