WINNIPEG — Games between the Manitoba Bisons and Regina Cougars this season have been slugfests, and that may be an understatement.

With two defensive-minded teams going at it again on Saturday, the home Cougars (9-3) got the edge on the Bisons (6-6) for the third time in four meetings this season. The 72-62 win pushes them further ahead in Canada West's East division, now one game up on the Saskatchewan Huskies.

It was scoring by committee for Regina tonight, as Matt Barnard went 7-for-9 to lead his team with 15 points. Josiah Thomas had 14 in the starting lineup, while Benjamin Hillis had 11 points and three boards.

Manitoba's big men feasted in the mucky matchup, as James Wagner had a season-high 20 points. Fellow fifth-year Cameron O'Hara had 12 points and eight rebounds, going 6-for-8 from the field.

Cold shooting in the backcourt hurt the Bisons' ability to rally in the fourth quarter, though. Keiran Zziwa shot just 3-for-16 after going for 31 points on Friday, finishing with eight points, nine rebounds and seven assists. Elijah Lostracco also had a tough night off the bench, going 1-for-7.

The Bisons will hope the friendly confines of IGAC can stop their current three-game slide. They host the Saskatchewan Huskies on Feb. 4-5.