EDMONTON – Sebastien Steigmeier and Sam Tuivai combined for 31.5 points to lead the Brandon University Bobcats to a 3-0 win (25-23, 25-16 and 25-18) over the UBC Thunderbirds, and the Canada West bronze medal during the conference Final Four third place game on Friday night at the Saville Community Sports Centre.

Brandon, winners of the Canada West trophy in 2013, came out fired up against the Birds following their 3-1 loss to the Trinity Western Spartans in the Canada West semifinal. They rolled to the straight sets win with 25-23, 25-16 and 25-18 scores.

Steigmeier, a resident of Geneva, Switzerland, and the Auckland, New Zealand born Tuivai recorded 14 and 12 kills respectively, as well as 17 and 14.5 points to pace the Bobcats to the bronze medal. Steigmeier also brought up 15 digs, while Tuivai spun one ace in the one-sided victory.

"It's disappointing being in the bronze medal game for sure, but I'm really pleased how motivated the guys were today, and proud of how well they played," said Brandon head coach Grant Wilson. "We talked about it last night that not many teams get to end their season with a win or with a medal around their neck. It wasn't where we wanted to be but winning this medal was everything that we did have today, so I'm really pleased we took advantage of the opportunity."

The opening set was tight from opening serve to final point, as the two teams were never separated by more than two points throughout the set, and in fact the set was tied five different times, including 17-17. Steigmeier and Tuivai, however, combined for a quartet of Brandon's final eight points, including the set winner by Tuivai.

In the second set, the Bobcats opened with a 7-2 lead, which deflated UBC, and then used that momentum to claim the bronze medal, winning in the final two sets by a combined 16 points.

The T-Birds were led by 11 kills from Canada West all-star Mac McNicol, while Irvan Brar added six kills in the loss.