BRANDON, Man. – The Bobcats dropped a 94-81 decision to the visiting Saskatchewan Huskies to open the 2019-20 Canada West men's basketball season.
 
Newcomer Dominique Dennis scored the first two baskets of the new season as the Bobcats jumped out to an early 5-1 lead. The first quarter was back and forth with BU trailing 16-14 at the end of one.
 
Saskatchewan set the tone in the second quarter with a 16-0 run to go ahead 34-18. The Huskies out rebounded the Bobcats 27-12 and BU went just 8-for-18 from the free throw line. Saskatchewan led 48-37 at the break.
 
"We were just focused on what we needed to do during that stretch of the game," said Noah Nickel, who scored 15 points for the Huskies. "We got back on defence, pushed the pace and ran the floor. We did what we do best and played to our strengths."
 
Brandon trimmed the deficit down to eight with 1:09 left in the third quarter after a three pointer from Elisha Ampofo.
 
The Huskies doubled their lead back up to 16 late in the final frame to lock up a road victory on opening night.
 
Alexander Dewar scored a game-high 28 points while Emmanuel Akintunde was next with 19.
 
The top scorer for the Bobcats was Dennis with 23 points, while American import Haashim Wallace also had a solid debut with 18 points.
 
"I liked our effort and that is all you can ask for," said Dennis. "The shots may not be falling, but as long as the effort is there I think we always have a chance to be in the game."
 
The Bobcats will look to split the series with the rematch on Saturday at 7 p.m. at the Healthy Living Centre.