BRANDON – It was a night of split fortunes at the Healthy Living Centre as the Brandon Bobcats hosted their provincial rivals, the Winnipeg Wesmen, for a spirited doubleheader. The Bobcats women's team used a barrage of three-pointers to secure an electrifying 80-70 victory, while the men's squad mounted a furious fourth-quarter comeback that ultimately fell just short, dropping an 86-78 decision.

WOMEN'S BASKETBALL: Bobcats 80, Wesmen 70

Led by a sizzling shooting performance from beyond the arc, the Bobcats women's basketball team snapped their recent skid with a statement win over Winnipeg.

Piper Ingalls was the catalyst for the Bobcats' offence, erupting for a game-high 26 points. Ingalls was lethal from long range, connecting on 7-of-12 three-point attempts. Her perimeter shooting stretched the Wesmen defence all night, opening lanes for her teammates and keeping the scoreboard ticking during critical stretches.

The game was a rollercoaster of momentum. Winnipeg stormed out of the gates, dropping 28 points in the first quarter to take an 11-point lead. However, Brandon responded with a massive second quarter, outscoring the visitors 30-16 to seize control at halftime.

While Ingalls provided the fireworks, Ella Averill was the engine inside, recording a dominant 22 points and 9 rebounds. Averill's ability to get to the free-throw line (10-for-15) put immense pressure on the Wesmen forwards throughout the contest.

Defensively, the story was Jayna Maytwayashing. While she didn't light up the scoring column, her presence on the glass was undeniable. Maytwayashing pulled down a staggering 17 rebounds, including 15 on the defensive end, ensuring Winnipeg was limited to one shot on most possessions. Her effort was crucial in a game where possession battles determined the outcome.

Winnipeg was led by Jennifer Edwards, who posted 16 points, but the Wesmen couldn't match Brandon's efficiency from deep or their resilience on the boards in the final frame.

Key Stat: The Bobcats turned a slow start (17 first-quarter points) into a victory by dominating the second quarter 30-16, effectively flipping the script of the game before halftime.

MEN'S BASKETBALL: Wesmen 86, Bobcats 78

In the nightcap, the Bobcats men's team engaged in a physical battle with one of the conference's top squads. Despite a valiant fourth-quarter push, Brandon couldn't overcome a mid-game deficit, falling 86-78 to the Wesmen.

The Bobcats were led once again by standout Sultan Haider Bhatti, who continued his All-Canadian calibre season with a team-high 23 points and 9 rebounds. Bhatti battled inside and out, doing everything he could to keep Brandon within striking distance.

The game was tight early, with Brandon trailing by just one after the first quarter. However, the Wesmen, utilizing a balanced attack, slowly widened the gap in the second and third quarters. Winnipeg's Alberto Gordo was a problem for the Bobcats all night, finishing with a double-double of 17 points and 11 rebounds.

Trailing entering the fourth, Brandon refused to fold. The Bobcats offence came alive in the final frame, pouring in 27 points—their highest output of any quarter. Munroop Gill chipped in with 15 points, and Travis Hamberger added 8 points and 5 assists, helping to orchestrate the late surge. However, Winnipeg's ability to capitalize on second-chance points (19 offensive rebounds leading to 23 second-chance points) proved to be the difference-maker.

Key Stat: The battle on the offensive glass was the deciding factor. Winnipeg grabbed 19 offensive rebounds compared to Brandon's 9, giving the Wesmen extra possessions that ultimately stifled the Bobcats' comeback bid.

UP NEXT

The Bobcats will look to build on the women's success and bounce back on the men's side as they rematch against the same Wesmen on Saturday. After this weekend, the teams will travel to Calgary to face the Mount Royal Cougars on January 23rd and 24th. 

Fans who can't watch in person can catch all the action live on CanadaWest.tv.