Written By: David Koroma

Winnipeg, MB – The University of Manitoba Bisons hosted the University of Saskatchewan Huskies for a hotly contested game of women's basketball at Investors Group Athletic Centre on January 23.  The home team kept the game close for the first three quarters and led at the half, but a combination of fouls and weak defense in the last quarter saw the Bisons lose 73-46 to the visiting Huskies.

The home team, currently last in their Pioneers Division, were viewed as the underdog coming into this game against the third-place Saskatchewan Huskies.

Both teams struggled to finish their plays at the net early in the first quarter. Following two three-pointers from Huskies guard Laura Dally, the visitors pulled ahead to close the first up 21-15.

Despite a number of costly fouls, the Bisons rallied to take the lead late in the second quarter. After a pull-up jumper by guard Sheree Carmona-Galdamez tied the game at the three-minute mark, the home team seized the momentum to end the half with a four-point lead, 35-31.

Following halftime, Saskatchewan came out gunning for the lead and quickly tied up the game by capitalizing on free throws. The two offences played well, but Manitoba's defensive fouls led to many costly points that would give the visitors a six-point lead entering the last quarter.

The visiting Huskies used the final ten minutes to pad their lead and ensure a victory, while the Bisons' offence was unable to keep up the pressure. With a combination of free throws and tight offensive plays, the Huskies' lead ballooned to over 20 points by the end of the game.

"I thought we played one of our best halves of basketball, but then we kind of gave up," said Bisons' Head Coach Michele Hynes, "for tomorrow, we just have to play all 40 minutes."

Saskatchewan's forward, Dalyce Emmerson, captured a double-double – finishing the game with 15 rebounds and 16 points. Dally was the game's leading scorer with 20 points for the Huskies. The Bisons' leading scorer was forward Vanessa DeVries with nine. The home team doubled the visitors in fouls with 18 to nine.

This win could potentially move Saskatchewan to fourth place in CIS standings with a 10-3 record, while the Bisons now sit at 1-14 for the season. The two teams will meet again at Investors Group Athletic Centre at 5pm tomorrow, January 24.