WINNIPEG – The short-handed MacEwan Griffins (2-13) would valiantly battle against the Manitoba Bisons (3-12) in a high-intensity game on both ends at Investors Group Athletic Center Friday night. The Bisons' fresh legs would prove to be the catalyst for a much-needed win, blazing past the Griffins, 65-51.
 
Griffins coach Katherine Adams made do with eight active players, as she toyed with different lineups in the hopes of slowing down the deeper Bisons bench. 
 
Four Bisons players would enter the double digits Friday, led by guard Keziah Brothers who would drop 15 points, six rebounds, and an assist, on 60 percent shooting from the field. 
 
Griffins captain Shannon Majeau would leave it all on the hardwood, dropping 16 points and nine rebounds on 50 percent shooting from the field. 
 
"We've made an effort to put an emphasis on assisted scores and using the dribble less," said Bisons head coach Michelle Sung. "On top of that, our defensive identity is something we've been working on since the beginning of the season and we definitely got the chance to show that."  
 
The Bisons would come out flexing their defensive prowess right from the tip, making their presence known as they pestered the Griffins passing lanes and crashed the boards on both ends to take an early lead.
 
Brothers would get it going early, dropping five points and four rebounds in the first, and capitalizing off some hefty breathing room in the key.
 
The manic defensive energy displayed by the Bisons would set them up for an excellent first half, grabbing seven early steals, 28 rebounds, and forcing 11 turnovers, as they led the Griffins 31-21 going into halftime. 
 
The Griffins would come out of the half swinging, however, as they looked to narrow the deficit against the electric Bisons team.
 
Majeau would lead her team, picking up 14 points and five rebounds in the third as she fought to keep her team in the running. 
 
Going into the fourth, Griffins guard Mackenzie Farmer would get it going, finishing the game with 12 points, four boards and four assists. 
 
Griffins forward, Toni Gordon would also have a big fourth, playing like an absolute force on the glass.  She would finish the game with a game-high 11 rebounds as she towered over the attacking Bisons. 
 
The Bisons would keep their foot on the gas, however, and push through right up until the final buzzer, showcasing some spectacular team basketball.
 
Bisons forward Emily Johnson would turn it up offensively, grabbing eight points in the final minutes and cementing the Bisons win. 
 
The Bisons hope to keep the momentum as they face off against the Griffins tomorrow.