WINNIPEG – For a second consecutive game, the Manitoba Bisons went on a significant run that changed the momentum of their contest against Brandon, as they topped the Bobcats 86-76 on Saturday night at Investors Group Athletic Centre.
Last night, Manitoba went on an 18-5 run at the end of the first and one night later they went on a 19-2 run in the first four minutes of the third, blowing open a game in which Brandon led by seven at halftime.
Guard Taylor Randall scored 16 of her team-high 23 points in the second half, including four treys — two in both the third and fourth quarter. Senior Emma Thompson added seven points, five assists and four boards in the final home game of her career. The Bobcats were led by senior Hailey Maas' 19 points.
The win improves Manitoba's record to 9-11, while Brandon finishes the year 1-19. The Bisons, clinching the 11-seed for the playoffs, will now face the 6-seed Winnipeg Wesmen on Friday night in a Canada West play in game.
There were eight lead changes in the first quarter, as both teams shot an efficient 47 percent in a 22-22 tie. Brandon's offensive output came primarily from distance, as they shot five-of-seven, led by Mass' three treys and nine points.
Manitoba countered with a strong mid-range game and inside presence, led by forwards Addison Martin and Emily Johnson, who both had six points.
Two steals from Mass that were converted into quick buckets helped turn the tide of a relatively close second quarter. Her second forced turnover gave the Bobcats a 36-34 lead with 5:26 left and they didn't trail the rest of the quarter. The fifth-year had a team-leading 17 points at halftime, while Sydney Latrace provided secondary scoring with ten points on four-of-five shooting from the field as Brandon led 51-44.
Manitoba's offensive catalyst was Johnson, who had 12 points in the first half, capitalizing on a few lapses in the visitor's defensive zone. She had points overall, which was a season high. Point guard Lauren Bartlett added eight points and four assists.
An effective halfcourt trap resulted in multiple turnovers for the Herd in the third quarter, who also got it going from the land beyond in a 70-59 lead.
"We've had it in the game plan for while," Bisons head coach Michele Sung said postgame of the defensive attack.
"It's in the game plan for what it got us. It got us some easy scores and a bit more momentum. Ultimately, we couldn't get a defensive stop in the first half. I think it was literally about re-focusing and getting back into the present.
There's a lot going on today obviously and it's easy to let you brain wander, but we wanted to make sure we got a win and finished the season outright and finished Emma's U of M home career well. I thought they responded well to that challenge."
Guard Keziah Brothers forced two turnovers and had three steals entering the fourth, while Randall hit on two of three attempts from three-point range and had a team-leading 17 points overall. The Bobcats also had to deal with the loss of Maas, who was injured on the first possession of the third.
Captain Logan Biccum stepped up with 13 points in the final quarter for the Bobcats, however Manitoba answered with well-balanced scoring themselves, preserving the ten-point victory.
