Bisons women clinch playoff berth despite loss to Heat

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This article was published 09/02/2024 (951 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The Manitoba Bisons were primed to improve their 12th-place playoff position with a victory in Canada West women’s basketball action Friday night.

It was not to be.

Manitoba’s hopes were snuffed out by the UBC Okanagan Heat, who got a career-high 29 points from guard Lauren Foullong and a career-high 21 rebounds from forward Jaeli Ibbetson en route to a 95-83 decision over the Bisons at Investors Group Athletic Centre.

The hosts were actually position to beat the Heat, trailing only 41-39 at halftime, but the visitors’ huge 58-34 edge in rebounding and three-point shooting told the tale.

The Bisons were five-for-12 while the UBCO went 13-for-26 from behind the arc.

Star point guard Lauren Bartlett played the entire 40 minutes for Manitoba, scoring 17 points, dishing nine assists and seven rebounds.

“We were trying to not let her get going too much,” said Ibbetson, who chipped in with 17 points, nine assists while leading all players by drawing eight fouls. “And a lot of (the Bisons) are really good shooters so we wanted to play more one-on-one D, less help.

“We were caught a few times. (Emily Mandamin) was going off from far away and (Saturday) we’ll probably adjust even more and not let them shoot.”

Mandamin was good on three-of-four three-pointers and finished the game with 13 points.

Emily Johnson led the Bisons with 20 points while rookie forward Anna Miko had 16 points, five rebounds and two blocked shots.

Miko was Manitoba’s most efficient player, hitting seven of 10 shots.

“A lot of the veterans are giving me the confidence to use my size and length,” said Miko, a Westwood grad who established a career high of 22 points against the Winnipeg Wesmen on Feb. 3. “I’ve actually never been a post player (before). They’ve really taught me lots of good skills to use down low.”

Ibbetson, a fourth-year forward, is having an all-star calibre season while she leads the conference in rebounding (12.6 per game) and is fourth in scoring (17.4 per game).

“We’re so lucky and grateful to have her,” said Heat head coach Bobby Mitchell. “She’s been pretty consistent all year — her whole career — but this year is special. She sees the game a bit differently this year. She’s able to slow down and see where the double teams are coming and where the openings are.

“If you notice, she doesn’t have to do it all in the first quarter. In her rookie year and second year, she wanted to do it all right away. Now she can take her time and picks her moments.”

Manitoba fell to 6-13 with the loss but clinched the final playoff spot in the conference following 13th-place Winnipeg’s 82-72 loss to Regina Friday.

UBCO improved to 10-9 and sits in the 10th seed with one regular-season game remaining.

Kraus keys comeback: Manitoba guard Mason Kraus scored five of his 13 points and provided a key shot block in a wild fourth quarter to rally his team to an 83-78 triumph over visiting UBCO in men’s action.

With five minutes remaining in the game and the visitors leading 71-70, Kraus came from behind to block UBCO’s Hafith Moallin’s breakaway layup attempt. The play was a game-changer.

“We were going through a little rut and I knew I could chase him down with my athleticism,” said Kraus. “It’s a big play but I’ve gotta give it to Wyatt (Tait). Wyatt got had a few great (offensive) boards late. It was a great game from the guys.”

Kraus took a beating in the fourth quarter, going to the free throw line three times in the final 1:38 and hitting three of six shots. He drew a total of six fouls, blocked four shots and added five assists and four rebounds.

“I think everyone knew I’m getting fouled, but sometimes you’re not going to get the calls — it happens,” said Kraus. “I’m just happy to get the win out of it.”

Manitoba’s Simon Hildebrandt, recovering from last weekend’s left ankle sprain, returned to action with seven points and one rebound. Daren Watts led the Bisons with 21 points.

Jalen Shirley had a game-high 26 points for the Heat.

Manitoba, now 12-7, started the weekend with the fourth seed in the Canada West playoff tournament.

The Heat, which entered the game in 13th place and below the playoff line, dropped to 6-13.

“They were fighting,” said Kraus. “Because they need these wins. They needed to beat us to make playoffs and they showed that they wanted it more than us. We’ve gotta bring it (Saturday) and just fight harder.”

The teams return to the IGAC court today to wrap up their regular-season schedules. The women’s game is slated for 5 p.m. with the men tipping off at 7 p.m.

mike.sawatzky@freepress.mb.ca