Grayson B. Leahy, Heat Sports Information

KELOWNA, B.C. – The UBC Okanagan Heat men's basketball team fell to the visiting University of Manitoba Bisons on Friday night, by a final score of 80-51. Consistency was a primary difference in the game, as the Bisons' shooting percentages were the better on the night, and free throws were a huge disadvantage for the Heat.

First Half:

Unable to find their shooting stroke early on, the Heat fell behind by double digits in the first quarter. After 10 minutes of play the Heat were down 20-10, and the Bisons ramped it up in the second quarter to stretch their lead to twenty, up 43-23, at half-time.

Both teams shot 20% from three-point range in the first half, but Manitoba made 15 of their 18 free throws while the Heat made it to the stripe just twice

Second Half:

The Heat made the first seven points of the third quarter, but with five minutes played the Bisons had stretched their lead back to 21 after a three from James Wagner. The lead was up to 26, before a pair of Heat free throws and a Triston Matthews layup dropped it to 22 with two minutes left. At the buzzer it was the Bisons up 27 heading into the fourth.

The Bisons maintained their lead through the fourth, outscoring the Heat 14-12 in the final quarter. Again the Heat were at a disadvantage in number of free throws, though they made all eight through the last two quarters. From the field the Bisons were hitting 54.2% and hit 83.3% from long range while the Heat hit 28.1% and 20% in those same categories in the third and fourth.

Key Performers:

UBC Okanagan:

Cam Servatius was the Heat's leading scorer Friday night, netting 15 points. Aldrich Berrios also finished in double digits, with 13 points. Servatius and Philip Okanlawon were the assists leaders with two apiece.

Defensively Servatius and Kyrin Cybenko led the way in steals, with two each, and Ben Kornelson, Owen Keyes, and Cybenko each finished with a block.

Manitoba:

James Wagner was Manitoba's highest scorer, with 18 points. Justus Alleyn and Rashawn Browne rounded out the top three, with 15 and 13 respectively. Browne and Alleyn also led the way in steals and assists with two apiece.

By the Numbers:

The Bisons were the better shooting team Friday, holding the edge in both field goal percentage (49.1% - 29.5%) and three-point percentage (43.8% - 20%). The Heat made all ten of their free throws to shoot 100%, while Manitoba made 21 of 32 for 65.6%.

Each team finished with 36 rebounds and three blocks, and Manitoba had the edge in both assists (7-6) and steals (10-7).

Next Up:

The UBC Okanagan Heat (2-7) and University of Manitoba Bisons (7-4) will play again tomorrow night, with game time set for 7 p.m. PST in the UBC Okanagan gymnasium. Watch the game on Canadawest.tv.