BRANDON – The Alberta Golden Bears earned the weekend sweep Saturday night over the host Brandon Bobcats, but it wasn't easy as the 'Cats fought back against the #4 nationally ranked Bears in a five-set marathon. 

The two teams traded set wins before the Bears came away with the 3-2 (15-25, 25-21, 25-10, 25-17, 15-6) victory.

The Bears and Bobcats battled until late in the fifth set when the Bears went on two critical runs in the last frame that sealed the deal.

Alberta started the fifth on a 6-1 run and end the set on a 6-0 run, the final six points coming off three Golden Bear kills and three Bobcat attack errors.

In the first set Alberta jumped to an early lead before Brandon managed a 13-4 run, taking a 16-12 lead into the technical timeout before running away with the set.

The second set was a battle as the two teams traded blows and exchanged leads before the Bears to battle back from a one-point deficit at 19-20 to take the set.

The third set was all Alberta, as the Bears went on a 14-1 run to jump to a 20-6 lead before securing the set.

Brandon wouldn't go away however, as a huge block by Roy Ching gave BU a 16-12 lead before consecutive aces from Elliott Viles led the Bobcats to pull away in the fourth.

But Brandon's effort would be all for naught, as the aforementioned critical runs in the final frame gave the Bears the weekend sweep.

Ryan Nickifor led Alberta's offensive attack with 13 kills, while Alex McMullin had a double-double with 12 kills and 13 digs.

Reed May had 25 digs and Brett Walsh finished one dig shy of a double-double with 36 assists and nine digs.

Brandon was led by Roy Ching's match-high 17 kills to go with 10 digs. Reece Dixon finished with a double-double as well registering 27 assists and 10 digs).

The win improves Alberta's record to 10-2. Brandon now sits with a record of 7-5.

Brandon will welcome the Regina Cougars for a pair of matches next week, while the Golden Bears will enjoy a bye weekend.