By Danielle Doiron

WINNIPEG - A strong University of Manitoba Bisons side defeated the University of Lethbridge Pronghorns 79-72 in men's basketball on Friday, Nov. 28 at Investors Group Athletic Centre.
 
"It was a very tough matchup," said Bisons head coach Kirby Schepp. "Defensively, we have to be better."
 
But offense wasn't a problem for the first three quarters.
 
The Bisons started the game strong, scoring 23 points in the first quarter to almost double the Pronghorns' 14.
 
Manitoba maintained a clean passing game in the second, but couldn't keep their defense clean. Both teams were shooting in bonus by the last few minutes of the quarter. The Bisons took advantage of their free throw opportunities and scored four points from behind the line to finish the half up 38-25.
 
Bisons guard Justus Alleyn kicked off the third with a dunk that brought a huge cheer from the crowd. Manitoba maintained that energy for the rest of the quarter, stretching their lead to 14 points to end the third ahead 62-48, despite a 3-point buzzer beater from Lethbridge power forward Brandon Brine.
 
Lethbridge cut that lead down to seven in the fourth, but couldn't overtake the Bisons. Manitoba took the "W" with a final score of 79-72.
 
The win brings Manitoba to 7-2 heading into the winter break. Lethbridge now sits at 5-4.
 
"We have a lot of little things left to do," Kirby said. "We need to deal with our turnovers and re-evaluate, rework, and get fit and healthy."
 
The teams play their last game of 2014 on Saturday, Nov. 29 at 7 p.m. CST at Investors Group Athletic Centre.