By Danielle Doiron

The University of Manitoba Bisons finally snapped out of their losing streak to win their first women's basketball game of the 2014-2015 season Saturday, Nov. 29 at Investors Group Athletic Centre. The Bisons defeated the University of Lethbridge Pronghorns 70-64 in one of their most intense games all season.

The win brings Manitoba to 1-9, while Lethbridge falls to 4-6.

Manitoba had a complete 180 after losing to the Pronghorns 66-43 Friday night.

"It was a total team effort," said Bisons head coach Michele Hynes. "We stuck to a game plan for 40 minutes. This is a good one."

This was Hynes' first conference win as head coach of the Bisons.

Bisons captain Robyn Eyer netted 24 total points. Pronghorns forward Kimberley Veldman also had 24.

Despite only shooting a 35.3 field goal percentage in the first quarter, the Bisons fought against the 72.7 per cent put up by the Pronghorns to end the first down only 14-17.

The Bisons took the lead almost five minutes in to the second when Robyn Eyer sunk a 3-pointer to bring the score to 25-23. She added another a minute later to help Manitoba finish the half up 35-33.

The Bisons stretched their advantage to eight points in the third to lead 54-46 at the end of the quarter.  

Lethbridge head coach Erin McAleenan received a technical foul two minutes into the fourth quarter, and both teams struggled to keep it clean. The Pronghorns had 6 team fouls in the fourth, and Lethbridge guard Sara Simovic fouled out with seconds left in the game. The Bisons racked up four team fouls in the quarter, but held on to win the game 70-64.

"[Fouls] are part of the game," Hynes said. "We just need to keep our athletes composed and I think they did."

Manitoba will open the second half of the season against the Victoria Vikes at Investors Group Athletic Centre on Friday, Jan. 9 at 6 p.m. CST. Lethbridge hosts the UBC Thunderbirds on Jan. 9 at 6 p.m. MST.