REGINA -- The Manitoba Bisons are 5-0 for the first time since joining Canada West, knocking off the 3-1 Regina Cougars 85-76 on the road. They never trailed by more than a point in the game, showcasing their defensive intensity and versatility yet again against a top-tier opponent. 

Shooting guard Elijah Lostracoo scored his team's first ten points and led the way with 21, along with three assists, two steals and five rebounds. Simon Hildebrandt and Tito Obasoto added ten, while Manitoba recorded 11 steals as a team, caused 20 turnovers and had eight different players log at least ten minutes of action. 

Manitoba started the game on a 10-2 run, led by Lastracco. The Cougars pushed back, and had their only lead at 14-13, however it was short-lived, as Obasoto forced a steal that led to a fast-break dunk from Jonam Kazadi, one of a handful of empathic slams on the evening for the visitors. The former came up big for his side in the fourth as well, where he scored six of his ten points. 

Perhaps the biggest moment in the opening ten came on a fast break for the Cougars' Brayden Kuski, which was denied at the rim by Bisons point guard Mason Kraus. The second-year had just seven points but was empathic in other areas, including five assists and the block. He came from half court to deny what looked like an easy layup, giving his side energy in a game they led by five at at the time. 

Kraus' play was a microcosm of the Herd's efforts defensively, as seven different players had a steal, while four had at least six rebounds in the win. 

The two sides will play again tomorrow night in Regina. You can catch the game on canadawest.tv.