WINNIPEG – It was another classic barn-burner at Investors Group Athletic Centre this weekend, as the No. 9 ranked Manitoba Bisons once again overcame a second half deficit to defeat the Regina Cougars 79-74.
The win improves Manitoba's record to 14-2, while Regina falls to 7-9.
There were 20 lead changes in the game and neither side led by more than six points. The Herd also played the entire weekend without leading scorer Rashawn Browne, while Regina was without their leading scorer Carter Millar.
When it was all said and done, rebounding became a major factor, as Manitoba won the battle on the glass by 11, led by forward James Wagner's double-double with 17 points and 11 boards.
Centres Cam O'Hara and Isaac Miller-Jose also combined for ten rebounds and 13 points, staking their claim in the paint. Regina was led by Benjamin Hillis' 17 points.
"Our forwards were in foul trouble all night, but they really impacted the game," Bisons head coach Kirby Schepp said postgame.
"Regina plays a very small ball lineup and they spread you out a bit. Our bigs needed to be really mobile and I thought they did a phenomenal job."
There were seven lead changes in the first period, as Regina entered the second up 17-14. Both sides also shot above 40 percent, however the difference came in transition as the visitors had eight points off turnovers.
A combined eleven different players had at least two points, led by guard Brayden Kuski, who had five for the Cougars. Wagner had four for Manitoba.
Both sides grinded it out in the second, playing hard on the glass.
Shooting-wise, the two teams continued to thrive, as both squads continued to be above 40 percent from the field.
The Cougars got inspired play inside from guard Greishe Clerjuste, who had six points as did Hillis. Manitoba countered with seven points and eight boards from Wagner, who was hitting from mid-range and in the paint, however it was the Cougars who led 38-37 at halftime.
There were six more lead changes in the third period, as the biggest lead for either side was six for Regina. They entered the fourth up 58-56 on the strength of four treys. Manitoba secured a number of their points down the stretch from the free throw line, including three of forward Isaac Miller-Jose's five.
The Cougars opened up a 68-62 lead with four minutes to play after a Hillis layup, however the Bisons stayed composed. They called a timeout and re-grouped, out-scoring Regina 17-6 afterwards.
Keiran Zziwa — Manitoba's leading scorer with 23 points — made the play of the day with a minute left, stealing a Cougars pass and taking it to the lane for a 73-72 lead that Manitoba wouldn't relinquish the rest of the way. Zziwa's bucket was quickly followed up by an Andre Arruda three that essentially put the dagger in the contest.
"Andre is a winner," Schepp added.
"He does all the little things that contribute to winning, and he consistently does it. He did it down the stretch today. He was awesome."
Next up for the Bisons is a critical road tilt against a Victoria squad that are just six points behind them in the standings, while Regina will host UNBC.
