BRANDON, Man. – A strong third quarter from the Manitoba Bisons helped the herd to the team's first conference win of the season.
 
The Bisons held the host Brandon Bobcats to six points in the third on the way to a 72-62 victory at the Healthy Living Centre Friday night.
 
Four Bisons finished in double figures, led by Keziah Brothers and Autumn Agar who each contributed 15 points.
 
"It's been a grind for us and we've all been working really hard," said third-year forward Emily Johnson of her team getting that much needed win.
 
"It didn't go our way in the first half [of the season] so we've just been fighting for our first win and it was super exciting to get that tonight."
 
Brandon's Piper Ingalls led all scorers with 17 points while fifth-year guard Chelsea Misskey wasn't far behind with 16.
 
The first quarter was fast paced, as the two teams traded blows before Manitoba took a 20-12 lead into the second.
 
Ingalls had seven in the first frame, but Manitoba ended the quarter on an 8-0 run, thanks in large part to Brothers' nine points and five boards in the quarter.
 
Misskey hit a miracle shot late in the second to keep it close at the break, but the Bisons took over in the third, holding the Bobcats to just six points in the quarter.
 
The Bobcats battled back in the fourth and kept it close down the stretch, but the damage was done.
 
The two teams meet again in the rematch to conclude the weekend series on Saturday.
 
Tip-off is set for 5 p.m. at the BU Healthy Living Centre.