EDMONTON - The University of Alberta Golden Bears basketball team exploded for 55 second half points, as they defeated the Brandon University Bobcats 83-67 Saturday night at Saville Community Sports Centre. 

Fourth-year guard Mamadou Gueye finished with a game-high 14 points and 11 rebounds in just 22 minutes. Following his 35 point performance from last night, sophomore forward Brody Clarke finished with eight points and four rebounds on just 4-6 shooting in 14 minutes.  

Fifth-year guard Chris Stanhope and second-year guard Girece Karumba finished with 10 points each to lead Brandon on Saturday. After a 25 performance of his own on Friday, Tyvon Cooper shot just 3-8 from the floor in game two, finishing with nine points and two assists. 

Neither team shot well in the first half, with the home Bears jumping out to a quick 9-3 lead to open the game. Gueye dropped five of his 14 points in the opening quarter, but shot just 1-7 from the floor, with Brandon responding by shooting five for 12. 

The two teams played a scrappy and back-and-forth second, with neither team generating a lead of over five in the second quarter. The Bobcats went on a brief 8-2 run to close out the half, trailing Alberta 28-27 after two. Alberta and Brandon shot a combined 31% in the second, the main reason behind the low scoring half.

The third quarter is when the Bears really took off, as Alberta outscored Brandon 37-9, shooting 56% from the floor, while draining nine shots from beyond the arc.  

Fourth-year guard Lyndon Annets dropped the first two from deep to open the third, before Austin Waddoups capped off the quick 9-0 run with a three-pointer of his own. The Bears continued to press Brandon defensively, forcing nine turnovers in the quarter, leading to what was at one point an astonishing 29-3 run. 

Alberta cruised throughout the remainder of the game, resting most of their starters in the fourth quarter en route to the 16 point win. All 12 Golden Bears found themselves on the scoresheet, with Gueye, Waddoups, and Andre Kelly recording double digit point totals. 

The 2-0 Golden Bears will be back in action next weekend, as they travel to Prince George to take on the UNBC Timberwolves for a two game set. 

Connor Hood - Golden Bears and Pandas Athletics