WINNIPEG – Intensity and finesse was the name of the game at Investors Group Athletic Centre on Friday night, as both the Manitoba Bisons and Mount Royal Cougars fought back and forth in a nail-biting barn burner that had both teams narrowly fighting for the lead right up until the buzzer. 
 
The Bisons showcased their grit and grind as they kept it close to the final seconds. However, the Cougars would bag the win as they pulled away in the last ten seconds, winning 62-58. 
 
Bisons guard Keziah Brothers shined, dropping one less than her career-high of 25, with 24 points, ten rebounds (her first career double-double) and three steals as she kept the Bisonsstay in it until the final buzzer.
 
Forward Maddison Hooper would finish the game with 21 points for MRU, eight rebounds and four steals as she led the Cougars to the close win. The twin towers of Jenessa Ramsoomair and Tanis Metcalfe, both of whom are in the top five in blocks in Canwest, also combined for 11. 
 
Despite a size mismatch, Manitoba won the battle on the boards, led by Brothers' ten, Lauren Bartlett's nine and Emily Johnson's eight, however MRU hit key shots when needed, including four from distance by Hooper. 
 
"Our mindset was to throw the first punch and not to let go offensively," said Keziah Brothers. "We wanted to focus on defence and let the offence flow off that. This group of girls is amazing, and we have to keep fighting for each other in those tough moments to secure the win tomorrow."
 
The first half was nothing short of dizzying, as both teams battled for a solid lead right off the tip. 
 
Blazing fastbreaks, dazzling footwork, and spectacular paint defence were on display for the Bisons in the first, as Mount Royal scrambled to gain their footing early. Brothers came out swinging, dropping a quick ten points, while the team rallied behind her to grab seven huge offensive rebounds that helped dictate the fast-paced play. 
 
Mount Royal began to get it going in the second, returning from an early deficit and sinking some tough transition buckets. 
 
The Cougars captain, Jamie Lalor, battled in the paint to grab eight rebounds before the half and created tremendous fast-break opportunities for her team to secure the lead. Both teams continued to fight as they entered the half 33-27 for the Cougars.
 
The game continued to pick up in the third with a break-neck pace. The Bisons got to flex their range with some big threes from Bartlett that would keep them neck to neck with the Cougars. 
 
Facing foul trouble, Brothers would continue to keep her foot on the gas, staying active all over the court offensively while forcing some turnovers and picking up some athletic finishes and blocks on the defensive end.  
 
The fourth would prove to be an exciting conclusion to such a close game, with both teams digging deep to try and secure a win. 
 
The Cougars would take a slight lead within the final minute that had the Bisons rushing to get some offensive opportunities. After a fouled three-point shot, Bartlett would head to the line to sink her free throws, putting the Bisons down two with ten seconds left. 
 
However, the Cougars would get to the free throw line themselves, sneaking past the Bisons in the final moments, 62-58. 
 
Both teams play again tomorrow at 5 pm as they hope to settle the score after tonight's heart-pounding display.