Written By: David Koroma

Winnipeg, MB – The Bison men's basketball team overwhelmed the visiting Trinity Western Spartans during their home opener at Investors Group Athletic Centre at on Friday, Oct. 31. Through constant offensive pressure, the Bisons never slowed down as they started their 2014-15 conference season with an 84-56 victory.

The home team ended the first quarter with a six-point lead, and then expanded that to 16 points, leading 37-21 at the half. Bison guard Amarjit Basi led scoring at the half with 16 points, including one three.

"Early on in the game we really moved the ball well, we shared it, and it was just good basketball to watch," said head coach Kirby Schepp, who is starting his sixth year as Bisons head coach.

Manitoba enjoyed a 15-point run early in the second half. Forward Alfreeman Flowers plus guard and co-captain Stephan Walton created that run, which included two dunks from Flowers and two threes from Walton.

Entering the last quarter with a 31-point lead, the home team played it safe as they coasted to their first victory in the new Pioneers Division.

Flowers captured a double-double with 11 rebounds and 17 points, while Basi led the game in scoring with 18. Spartan guards Nicholas Tancon and Nartan Tanielian each had 10 points to lead their team in scoring.

"We need more effort on the rebounding side of things and consistency as a team," said coach Schepp, discussing his planned improvements for tomorrow.

When asked what accounted for the big win, coach Schepp said, "Good ball movement, we got good shots and we shot a pretty good percentage."

Both teams will play each other again tomorrow at 7 p.m. CT at Investors Group Athletic Centre.