BRANDON –The Winnipeg Wesmen picked up a big win to keep their playoff hopes alive, beating the host Bobcats 86-79 Thursday night at BU's Healthy Living Centre. 

The Winnipeg Wesmen stormed out of the gates early, jumping to a 8-0 run in the first minute. The Bobcats struggled on both ends of the floor through-out the first-half, trailing by 17 at the half-time break.

The Bobcats found some rhythm late, narrowing the gap to just three points behind a huge 3-pointer from Kenonte Ramsey to make the score 76-73, but the Wesmen put a quick end to that, ending the game with a comfy seven-point lead.

Ramsey had the hot-hand for the Bobcats, scoring 21 points. He also grabbed five rebounds. Earl Thompson Jr. added a double-double with 20 points and 13 rebounds.

Jelane Pryce led the Wesmen with 19 points and seven boards. Christopher Baxter added 15 points and three rebounds. Former Bobcat red-shirt Jamar Farley added 10 points.

Although his team didn't come out with a win, Bobcat head coach Gil Cheung was pleased with how his team battled back despite being down.

"There was a point there that we were down about twenty and then we battled back. We didn't call a time-out, our guys figured it out and competed. There are some tough guys on our team who played really well for us tonight, one of their best games of the year," says Cheung.

The win brings the Wesmen record to 7-6, while the Bobcats fall to 1-14.

Both teams will face of for the second half of their home-and-home series at 4pm on Saturday in Winnipeg at the Duckworth Centre.