BRANDON -- The No. 8 nationally ranked Manitoba Bisons kept their winning streak going on Saturday night, beating provincial rival Brandon 75-69 in a gritty battle at the PAC.
The weekend sweep improves Manitoba's record to 11-1, keeping them ahead of the 12-2 Victoria Vikes for first place in the Canada West conference. The Bisons haven't lost a regular season game since November 26, 2022, and have the conference's best defence, allowing just 72.4 points per game.
Much like yesterday's one-point thriller that was won with seven seconds left, Saturday was a game of runs. The Bobcats opened the first on a 13-2 run, but saw their lead cut to two entering the second, after a 15-6 run from the Bisons.
The combination of Sultan Haider Bhatti, Jahmaal Gardner, who had a team high 22 points, and Anthony Tsegakele were key for the hosts, while 6'9" rookie sensation
Simon Hildebrandt had a game-high 27 points for the Herd.
Mason Kraus and
Isaac Miller-Jose also combined for 24, and the Bisons grabbed 39 rebounds while recording 13 steals. Five different Bisons had at least five boards, with Miller-Jose leading the way with seven, while Kraus' two steals keep him on pace to break Manitoba's single season steals per game record of 2.9.
The game's late stages came down to free throws. Both teams were able to drive into the paint and get to the line, however it was Manitoba's Hildebrandt who had ice in his veins. Much like Manitoba's overtime win against Alberta in the first weekend of the season, Hildebrandt was perfect at the charity stripe going 13-for-13.
That total is just one shy of the program record for most consecutive free throws made, which Hildebrandt set against the U of A. Nine of Hildebrandt's succesful free throws came in the final ten minutes, while Tsegakele had ten opportunities from the line in the game, but only made three.
Hildebrandt scored 18 of his 27 points in the fourth quarter, and was just two points shy of a career best. His rebound and free throw following a foul tied the game at 61 with 4:21 to go. Manitoba didn't trail the rest of the way, with Miller-Jose's third steal of the game and ensuing layup giving the Herd a lead they kept.
The Bisons are back home this weekend, hosting 7-5 Mount Royal at 8 pm on Friday and 7 pm on Saturday. They are just five wins away from tying the program record for regular season wins (since joining Canada West).
