Written by Danielle Doiron 

WINNIPEG, MB – It was a game of shifting momentums as the University of Manitoba Bisons took on the University of Victoria Vikes in men's basketball action at the Investors Group Athletic Centre on Saturday, January 10.

Despite putting up strong offense in the second and fourth quarters, the University of Manitoba Bisons couldn't overcome the solid lead the University of Victoria Vikes generated early on in the game, and the Vikes claimed the 85-55 victory.

Vikes forward Chris McLaughlin topped the score sheet with 23 points. Andre Arruda led the Bisons with 11 points.

Victoria's offense exploded in the first quarter. All five Vikes starters netted four points each in the period to give the visitors an incredible 26-6 lead heading into the second.

Manitoba's Wyatt Anders found the net in the second quarter, scoring eight of the Bisons' 19 points in the period. But Manitoba couldn't keep up with the Victoria's relentless offense. The Vikes scored 25 more points to double their tally from the first quarter and finish the half up 53-25.

Both teams shifted gears and took a more defensive approach to the second half. Neither team scored until Jonathan Alexander sunk a layup for the Bisons almost two minutes into the third quarter. The Bisons added eight more points before the Vikes' offense resurfaced. Victoria scored 12 unanswered points to cap off the quarter and claim a 69-35 lead to start the fourth.

Manitoba outscored Victoria 20-16 in the final quarter, but couldn't make up the point deficit to claim the win. The Vikes took the game with a 85-55 victory, bringing their season record to 8-2 while the Bisons fall to 8-4.

"They were firing on all cylinders and we came out and just couldn't buy a hoop," said Bisons head coach Kirby Schepp.

Schepp said his game plan is to re-evaluation and move past the loss in anticipation of next week's games against the University of Alberta.

Both teams play next Friday, January 16. The Bisons play next on the road against the University of Alberta at 8 p.m. MST. The Vikes host the University of Winnipeg Wesmen at 8 p.m. PST.