Box Score
Winnipeg - A 19-0 run to start the fourth quarter paved the way for the Manitoba Bisons as they defeated the Lethbridge Pronghorns 104-94 in Canada West men's basketball action on Saturday, Jan. 26 at the Investors Group Athletic Centre (U of M campus), earning a weekend series sweep.
The Bisons (12-5) cracked triple digits in points for the second time this season. Jonar Huertas scored a game high 34 points for Manitoba, including seven three pointers. Stephan Walton scored 27 while Yigit Ozsayiner chipped in with a double double, 14 points and 11 rebounds.
“We changed up a bit defensively,” said Bisons head coach Kirby Schepp, “We went zone in the fourth, which is counter-intuitive because they were shooting the ball really well. We just needed to change something.”
For the Pronghorns (7-9), their woes away from home continue, dropping to 1-7 on the road this season. Alex Fletcher led the way for Lethbridge with 21 points and 10 rebounds. Derek Waldner also had a double double with 17 points and 10 boards. The two teams combined in making 25 three pointers in the game.
The Bisons led 55-54 after an offensively explosive first half for both teams, who went back and forth throughout the opening 20 minutes. Stephan Walton led all scorers at the break with 19 points. Manitoba shot 45.5% in the opening half while Lethbridge, who was without Waldner for most of the second quarter after getting into foul trouble, shot 53.8%.
Lethbridge took a 81-76 lead into the fourth but with the home crowd spurring them on, the Bisons opened up the final quarter with threes on their first three possessions, including a pair from Huertas. The Manitoba run hit its peak at 19 unanswered before Waldner responded with Lethbridge’s first basket of the quarter at 4:41. By that point, the home team had taken control of the game on route to victory.
Game stats at: http://english.cis-sic.ca/sports/mbkb/2012-13/boxscores/20130126_f7tv.xml
Both teams continue their Canada West conference schedule next weekend. The Bisons go on the road to take on the #4-ranked Alberta Golden Bears while the Pronghorns will play host to the Brandon Bobcats.
