Written by: Alyssa Etsell, Bison Sports

WINNIPEG — After a back and forth game, the University of Brandon Bobcats pull off a later quarter comeback to beat the University of Manitoba Bisons, 84-77, at the Investors Group Athletic Centre on Friday, Nov. 24 night.

With the win, Brandon moves to a record of 2-5 and Manitoba to a 3-6, ending a three-game win streak.

Falling after halftime, the Herd struggled to keep ahead of their fouls in the second half. 

"I mean, we had moments," said Bisons head coach, Michele Sung. "I just think we're still looking for two or three players to play a complete 40 minutes and that's not like physically playing, that's being engaged in the game for 40 minutes. So until we get that, it's going to be a back and forth battle."

The Bobcats played the fourth with a determined effort that the Bisons couldn't rally against and Brandon was able to play leading by as many as ten points for much of the last quarter. The visitors shot at 44% clip to end the contest and go to the foul line 20 times in the fourth.

The end of the third was a frenzy of points, with Cox getting a three-pointer just as the buzzer ended to head into the final period of the game with a shallow lead of 63-44.

Despite opening the scoring again in the third, the Bisons were unable to pull-ahead heading into the fourth. The Bobcats were able to capitalize off of several free throw attempts—Keisha Cox, going 5-for-6 after the third.

Earlier in the game, Manitoba opened the game with Bison Lana Mackic getting a quick (off rim and in) 2-pointer. Taylor Randall quickly followed up with a 3-pointer in first minute of play. Starting the second period, Brandon trailed by only two points but Bisons Taylor Randall opened with back-to-back layups. 

In the second, Cox made a great pass to Stanton to get a two-point layup to tie the game midway through. The back and forth continued through the rest of the second quarter as Cox scored a layup to bring the score heading into the third to 41-38 for Brandon.

The Bobcats were led by Cox with 27 points while Emma Thompson add a game-high 29 points in the loss.

Both teams play again at Manitoba starting at 5 p.m. CT.

Points:

Manitoba – Emma Thompson 29

Brandon – Keisha Cox 27

Rebounds:

Manitoba – Nicole Konieczny, Claire Harvey 11

Brandon – Lauren Anderson 8

Assists:

Manitoba – Lana Mackic, Nicole Konieczny, Claire Harvey, Taylor Randall 3

Brandon – Amy Williams, Keegan Robinson 2