FRASER VALLEY -- The Manitoba Bisons (3-0) led by as many as 12 points in the first quarter, and didn't trail the rest of the way, beating UFV (2-1) 73-61 in a gritty battle between the two talented squads at The Cave. With the victory, Manitoba owns sole possession of first place as the only undefeated team left in the Canada West conference. 

After going off for 46 points in the first weekend of play, rookie sensation Simon Hildebrandt once again dictated play early, recording nine points in the first, six from three. He had nine in the opening ten minutes, while guard Elijah Lostracco, who led the team with 16 points, added two early threes and was also clutch late in the fourth, helping the Herd stop a late run by the Cascades, who got 17 points from Dylan Kinley. 

Trailing by five midway through the second, UFV went cold, allowing Manitoba to extend their lead to 39-26 entering halftime. The Cascades kept it close, and narrowed the score to 54-51 early in the fourth off of a trey from Kinley, but the Bisons held things down from there, outscoring UFV 19-10 in the last nine minutes of play.

Stout defence was a key to Manitoba's fourth quarter surge. Guard Mason Kraus, who scored seven of his 15 points in the fourth, got back-to-back steals and a key rebound that led to a four-point swing. Overall, he had seven steals in the game, while the Bisons had 16 on the night. Big man Isaac Miller-Jose added two key steals, an assist and a rebound, helping a well-balanced game that saw him tally ten boards, five steals, three blocks and five assists. His steal and assists totals were both career highs, while the former matches his season-best. 

The two teams will be back in action tomorrow night.