Bison Brief

Romer Bautista, Staff

The Bisons women’s basketball team travelled to Brandon over the weekend and won two straight against the Brandon University Lady Bobcats to improve the Bisons’ record to 3-1. The Bisons have now won 26 straight games against the Lady Bobcats.

On Friday, Nov. 9, the Bisons were victorious by a score of 90-63. The Bisons had a balanced attack with four players scoring in double figures, but were led by the scoring of Leigh-Anne Legal-Young, who poured in 17 points on 8-12 shooting.

The following night saw the Bisons win 93-73. Kaitlyn Flett led the team with 22 points (10-14 shooting), seven rebounds, and four steals. Tessa Klassen and Michelle Hynes added 16 and 13 points respectively.

The Bisons return home this weekend, where they will play host to the University of Victoria Vikes on Nov. 16 and the UBC Thunderbirds on Nov. 17.

The Bisons men’s basketball team remains winless in the young season, after the University of Brandon Bobcats defeated them in Brandon on Nov. 9 and again on Nov. 10. The Bisons’ record now stands at 0-4.

The Bisons fell 88-66 to the Bobcats on Nov. 9. The Bisons were led by Darcy Coss and his 19 points but sorely missed the services of the team’s leading scorer, Isaac Ansah, who missed the game due to a bruised thigh.

Ansah also sat out the Nov. 10 game between the two teams, which the Bisons lost 68-55. Brian Crowe led the team in scoring in Ansah’s absence, dropping in 17 points.

The Bisons will look to break the goose-egg with a little home cooking this weekend. They host the University of Victoria Vikes on Nov. 16 and the UBC Thunderbirds on Nov. 17.

The No.1-ranked Manitoba Bisons women’s volleyball team travelled to Vancouver and took on the No.3-ranked UBC Thunderbirds over the weekend for a pair of games. Each team won one game, splitting the two-game series.

In the weekend’s first game, the Bisons were able to pull out a five-set thriller, 3-2 (23-25, 25-21, 25-16, 28-30, 15-5). Ashley Voth led the team with 18 kills and also added 15 defensive digs. Amy Matthews chipped in 14 kills and 12 digs.

In the weekend-capper, it was the Thunderbirds who were able to pull out a 3-2 (25-21, 25-15, 19-25, 21-25, 15-8) win. Voth and Matthews led the Bisons in kills with 12 a piece, while Sarah Morrissette did her best on the defensive end, with 13 digs.

The loss was the first of the year for the Bisons, whose record now sits at 5-1. They will look to bounce back from the defeat this weekend when they travel back to B.C., this time to Burnaby, to take on the Simon Fraser University Clan for a pair of games on Nov. 16 and 17.

After two losses to the defending CIS champions last week, the Bisons men’s volleyball team were in tough again this past weekend, when they played host to the No.4-ranked UBC Thunderbirds. Although they played hard, the Bisons just couldn’t find a way to win, dropping both matches played. The Bisons record now stands at 0-4.

On Nov. 9, the Bisons lost in four sets, 3-1 (20-25, 25-18, 25-16, 25-17). Derek Tyler, Ryan Munt, and John Galloway led the Bisons with eight kills each. Spencer Hoehn had 10 defensive digs in the losing effort.

The following night saw the UBC win in straight sets, 3-0 (25-22, 25-23, 25-18). Stefan Bouw led the Bisons with nine kills, while on the defensive end Munt had 11 digs to lead the team.

The Bisons will be out for the first win this weekend when they travel to Regina to take on the University of Regina Cougars for a pair of games on Nov. 16 and 17.

The Bisons men’s hockey team record is now 6-4 after splitting a weekend series with the University of Lethbridge Pronghorns in Lethbridge, Alb.

The Bisons won the first game of the series 6-4. Travis Kornelson had a hat trick, while Chris Falloon, Michael Hellyer, and Richard Wood each added a goal each. Krister Toews made 31 saves in the win.

The next night had the Pronghorns come out victorious 5-2. Calin Wild and Mark Olafson scored the two goals for the Bisons. Justin Harris, who was making his first start of the season for the Bisons, made 30 saves in the losing effort.

The Bisons next see action this weekend when they play host to the University of Calgary Dinos for a pair of games on Nov. 16 and 17.

Defensive lineman Justin Cooper has been named the Canada West Outstanding Lineman of the Year. By winning the award, Cooper is automatically nominated for the CIS John Metras Award, which is given to the nation’s top lineman of the year.

Cooper wreaked havoc on opposing teams all year, finishing the regular season with seven sacks and 10 tackles for losses, both of which were second best in Canada West. Cooper also registered 34 tackles during the season, which was the second most among lineman in the conference. He was named the Canada West Defensive Player of the Week for the week ending Oct. 7, 2007 after tallying eight tackles in a road win against the University of Alberta Golden Bears.

Cooper is just the fifth Bison to win the award, and the first since Israel Idonije won the award in 2002.

Cooper was also one of five Bisons named as 2007 Canada West All-Stars. Joining Cooper as all-stars are running back Matt Henry, defensive lineman Simon Patrick, and defensive backs Mike Howard and Brady Browne.

John Makie and Amy Matthews have been recognized as Bison Sports Athletes of the Week for the week ending Nov. 11.

Makie earns the honour for his role in the football team’s 48-5 win over the University of Regina Rams. Makie completed 18-of-25 passes for 253 yards and three touchdowns.

Matthews compiled 26 kills and 21 digs as the Bisons split a road-series against the UBC Thunderbirds.