WINNIPEG – The No. 8 nationally ranked Manitoba Bisons (14-1) would showcase their ability to draw fouls, as they continuously got to the line to pull ahead in an intense game against the MacEwan Griffins (0-14) at Investors Group Athletic Center Friday night. The Bisons would pick up 14 points from free throws in the first, cementing them an early lead and a big win, 91-58. 
 
Bisons forward Jonam Kazadi would have a career night, dropping 16 points, five rebounds, two assists and three steals. Griffins captain Matthew Osunde would finish the game with 17 points, five rebounds and four assists.

The win improves the Bisons' win streak to nine, and they are also 7-0 at home as they remain atop the conference standings, one win up on No. 3 ranked Victoria. They're just three wins away from setting a new career high for regular season wins (since joining Canada West), with the previous record being 16, set in 2019-20. 

"I'm just really happy about what we are building here," said Kazadi. "We're a bunch of young guys, and this is just year one of what we can do. We have a bright future ahead of us." 
 
The Bisons started the game with a flurry of offence by restlessly attacking the paint and getting to the charity stripe early. Out of 28 points scored for the Bisons in the first, only five of them came from the field, with the rest coming from the line.

"We pride ourselves on being aggressive and trying to get to the rim as much as possible," Kazadi added. "We're a bunch of athletic guys, we know we can do it, so that's just a testament to who we are."
 
The Bisons bench would also get on the hardwood early, with forwards Cieran O'Hara and Tito Obasoto picking up some deep treys that would keep the momentum going in the Bisons favour. 
 
The Griffins wouldn't take it laying down, however, and used their nimbleness and speed in response.
 
Osunde would blaze up the court at break-neck speeds, muscling his way into the paint and converting on some crafty reverse layups that would bring the Griffins within ten halfway through the second. 
 
The Bisons fought back against the adversity and continued to feel it from all over the hardwood, leading into the half 43-27.
 
The Bisons would continue the offensive pressure as things got more physical in the third. 
 
Bisons guards Elijah Lostracco and Mason Kraus were floor generals on the hardwood – setting up their teammates with some flashy passes and offence to pair.
 
Kraus would have 11 points, eight assists and four steals as both teams headed into the fourth – putting up highlight plays like a behind-the-back pass that led to a crafty layup by Kazadi. 
 
Going into the fourth, Griffins guard Job Janda would use his length as a guard to get to the basket for some athletic finishes to narrow the lead. He would finish the game with 12 points, six assists and two steals. 
 
The Bisons would run away with it in the fourth, led by Kazadi who was doing all on the court.
 
Bisons forward Daren Watts would also light it up for 10 points and six rebounds off of the bench, solidifying the Bisons win.
 
The Bisons return tomorrow for another game against the Griffins.