Bisons women clinch playoff spot despite loss to Heat – Winnipeg Free Press

The Manitoba Bisons looked set to improve their 12th seed playoff position with a win in the Canada West women's basketball game on Friday night.

It shouldn't have happened.

Manitoba's hopes were dashed by the UBC Okanagan Heat, which got a career-high 29 points from guard Lauren Foullong and a career-high 21 from forward Jaeli Ibbetson in a 95-83 decision over the Bisons at the Investors Group Athletic Centre. .

The hosts trailed only 41-39 at halftime and were in position to beat the Heat, but outscored the visitors 58-34 with a huge three-point shooting advantage.

The Bisons were 5-for-12 and UBCO was 13-for-26 from behind the arc.

Star guard Lauren Bartlett played 40 minutes for Manitoba, scoring 17 points, nine assists and seven rebounds.

“We tried not to let him go too much,” said Ibbetson, who had 17 points, nine assists and led all players with eight fouls. “A lot of (the Bison) are really good shooters, so we wanted to play more one-on-one D, less help.

“Caught several times. (Emily Mandamine) was flying from a distance, and (Saturday) we're going to adjust a lot more and not let them shoot.”

Mandamin finished the game with 13 points, shooting well in the third quarter.

Emily Johnson led the Bisons with 20 points, while freshman forward Anna Miko had 16 points, five rebounds and two blocks.

Miko was Manitoba's most effective player, hitting seven of 10 shots.

“A lot of veterans give me the confidence to use my size and length,” said Miko, a Westwood graduate who scored 22 points against the Winnipeg Wesmen on Feb. 3. post player (before). They taught me a lot of good skills to use at a low level.”

Ibbetson, a fourth-year forward, is coming off an All-Star season, and he ranks fourth in the conference in rebounding (12.6 per game) and scoring (17.4 per game).

“We're very fortunate and grateful to have him,” Heat head coach Bobby Mitchell said. “He's been consistent all year – his whole career – but this year is special. He has a different approach to this year's game. He can slow down and see where double teams are coming and where to get open.

“If you notice, he doesn't have to do everything in the first quarter. In his freshman and sophomore years, he wanted to do everything at once. Now he can take his time and choose his moments.”

Manitoba fell to 6-13 with the loss, but clinched the final playoff spot in the conference after 13th-ranked Winnipeg's 82-72 loss to Regina on Friday.

UBCO improved to 10-9 and moved into 10th place with one regular season game remaining.

Return of the Kraus keys: Manitoba guard Mason Kraus scored five of his 13 points in the fourth quarter to lead his team to an 83-78 win over visiting UBCO in the men's game.

With five minutes left in the game and the visitors leading 71-70, Kraus came back to block a layup attempt by UBCO's Hafit Moallin. The play changed the game.

“We were going through a little bit of trouble and I knew I was going to catch up with my athleticism,” Kraus said. “It's a big play, but I have to give it to Wyatt (Tate). Wyatt got some great (offensive) boards late. It was a great game by the boys.”

Kraus was blown away in the fourth quarter, going to the free throw line three times in the final 1:38 and hitting three of six shots. He totaled six fouls, blocked four shots and added five assists and four rebounds.

“I think everybody knew I was being hacked, but sometimes you don't get the calls – that's what happens,” Kraus said. “I'm glad I got the win from him.”

Manitoba's Simon Hildebrandt returned to action with seven points and one rebound after recovering from a sprained left ankle last weekend. Darren Watts led the Bisons with 21 points.

Jalen Shirley scored 26 points for the Heat.

Manitoba, now 12-7, began the weekend ranked fourth in the Canada West playoffs.

Entering the game ranked 13th and just short of the playoff spot, the Heat dropped to 6-13.

“They fought,” Kraus said. “Because they need these wins. They needed to beat us to make the playoffs and they showed they wanted it more than us. We have to bring it (Saturday) and fight more.”

The teams return to the IGAC court today to complete their regular season schedules. The women's game is at 5:00 p.m., the men's game is at 7:00 p.m.

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