WINNIPEG – A 49-point first half did the damage for the No. 9 Bisons on Saturday night at Investors Group Athletic Centre, as they topped the Brandon Bobcats 78-58.

Fifth-year guard Rashawn Browne, playing in his final home game as a senior, paced the offence, scoring 19 of his 22 points in the first half while forward Joel Adu-Quaye added a career-high 12 points. The Bobcats were led by Anthony Tsegakele's 12.

The win improves Manitoba's record to 16-4 — the best in program history. It also guarantees the Bisons a first round bye where they will await the results of next weekend's play-in games. Brandon falls to 6-14 and will go on the road for a play in series as the 12 seed. 

Manitoba opened the first six minutes of play on a 13-4 run, getting five of their first seven points from Browne and ten overall.

Brandon clawed back into the contest with back-to-back threes from guard Dominque Dennis, however Manitoba responded with two treys of their own from forward Joel Adu-Quaye as they led 24-14 entering the second.

The hosts outscored Brandon 25-6 in the second period, controlling play on the glass while distributing the ball well offensively.

Manitoba out-rebounded the undersized Bobcats 32-13 through two, led by Cameron O'Hara's seven and Isaac Miller-Jose's five. Browne continued his strong shooting performance and also got to the line on multiple occasions, leading the team with 19 points at the break on five-of-nine shooting from the field. 

Brandon's offence primarily ran through rookie of the year candidate Tsegakele. With Manitoba's zone defence causing troubles, the visitors went to guard Hans Befus, who had four points in the quarter.

A 10-0 run midway through the third period cut Manitoba's lead down to 20 entering the fourth. Solid defence was critical for the Bobcats, as they forced three steals. Dennis added two more treys, while Tsegakele had an impressive dunk and 12 points entering the final period. 

Brandon cut Manitoba's lead to as little as 14 early in the fourth, however the Bisons settled down. Active defender Termaine Daniels showed his offensive ability with five points in a row, including a trey as the hosts came out with the point win.