BRANDON - The Alberta Golden Bears managed to salvage a split against the Brandon Bobcats on Saturday in a marathon five-set match (25-15, 12-25, 23-25, 25-17, 11-15).

The first set showed both teams fighting for every point, until the Bobcats ran away with set. Roy Ching served eight in a row to close out the set.

Alberta got the momentum in the second, leading by as much as 10 at 21-11 before taking the set 25-12.

Both teams battled it out early in the third before Brandon went on an eight point run, thanks to eight serves by Sam Tuivai, to give them a 16-12 lead. But Alberta wasn't done. They fought back with a five point run of their own to tie things up at 17 before winning the set by only two points at 25-23.

The fourth set was all BU. The Bobcats led by as much as 10 at 17-7, before closing out the set 25-17.

The Golden Bears grabbed an early lead in the fifth and the Bobcats couldn't catch up. Alberta went on to win the set and the match.

Sebastien Steigmeier led the Bobcats with 16 kills, three digs, and three blocks. Sam Tuivai chipped in 14 kills, nine digs, four services aces, and two blocks.

Ryley Barnes paced the Golden Bears, earning a double-double with 23 kills and 11 digs. Ryan Nickifor added 15 kills, seven digs, and two blocks.

The game featured extreme highs and lows and neither team was exempt from falling victim to the emotion of the evening.

"It was a bizarre match. I don't think I've ever seen such huge swings in momentum. Both teams took turns making mistakes off the first touch and allowed the other team to gain confidence and it just seemed hard for anyone to drive the momentum," said BU head coach Grant Wilson.

Looking ahead, Wilson knows that his squad will need to work hard in order to be competitive come playoffs.

"The goal is to be better. We're going to practice hard this week and find a way to improve ourselves so that come playoff time we're playing our best volleyball," added Wilson.

The win brings the Golden Bears record to 19-3, while the Bobcats fall to 17-5.

Up next, the Bobcats will travel to UBC-Okanagan to take on the Heat. Alberta will close out their season at home against Mount Royal at home.