Box Score BRANDON - The Brandon University men's basketball team closed out the first-half of their Canada West schedule with an 89-72 home loss against the Manitoba Bisons on Saturday night at the Healthy Living Centre.

The Bobcats and Bisons went back and forth to start the contest with Manitoba holding a 20-17 advantage at the end of the first quarter.

The two sides were all square at 34-34 with 4:35 remaining in the second quarter, but the Bisons grabbed the momentum and went on a 16-2 run to close out at the half and led 50-36 at the break and they never looked back.

AJ Basi was the top scorer for Manitoba with 18 points as the Bisons won their fourth consecutive game and improved to 6-and-2 on the season.

Former Bobcat Ilarion Bonhomme was next with 15 points for the U-of-M, while Justus Alleyn and Wyatt Anders both added 14 points for the winners.

Brett Jewell was the fifth Bison player to reach double digits with 10 points.

Troy Grant got a game-high 22 points in a losing cause for the Bobcats, who slipped to 0-and-6 on the season.

"Even though we came out with the two losses this weekend, I feel like this weekend was one of our best weekends," said Grant. "We played together as a team and we didn't have as many defensive lapses and we were more into the flow on offence. I think we are taking steps forward, but it is a learning process and I hope the team understands that will take some time."

Earl Thompson Jr. had 12 points and a game-high seven rebounds for Brandon.

The Bobcats will compete in the annual Wesmen Classic in Winnipeg during the Christmas break, before returning to conference play at home on January 7 against the U-of-W.

Manitoba's next conference game is on the road against the Victoria Vikes on January 8 when they start a weekend series in B.C.