MacEwan Athletics

WINNIPEG – Playing from behind all game is not exactly a recipe for success.

Unable to mount a fourth-quarter rally like they did in Friday's win, the MacEwan Griffins lost 63-54 to the Manitoba Bisons on Saturday and settled for a weekend split.

"We dug ourselves in a hole early again," said Griffins head coach Katherine Adams, whose squad was trailing 34-21 at half-time. "We won the second half … but just had to work too hard to make things happen towards the end of the game.

"If we can get our job done early and hopefully not dig ourselves out, you won't see us trying to claw back at the end."

MacEwan got within five with just over two minutes left, but the Bisons had a couple of big defensive stops followed by key late buckets to salt away their first win of the Canada West campaign.

Fourth-year Griffins guard Kayla Ivicak had a double-double for the second-straight night, scoring 17 points and 14 rebounds, while adding five steals and a block. And fifth-year guard Paige Knull again led the Griffins in scoring with 21 points, adding five boards, three assists and two steals.

"I think the big learning for us this weekend is you look at the stats. The numbers tell a different story from how we're feeling," said Adams. "We had more shot attempts then them, we got to the free throw line more than them, we outrebounded them. We had three more turnovers, but a lot of other stuff was pretty even.

"It was just a matter of us not finishing," she added. "We had really great opportunities, but we just didn't score. The lesson is we've just got to be tougher. I thought they won the physical battle and the toughness battle. That's what it comes down, what made the difference today."

Both teams now have 1-5 records. The Griffins now head into a bye week before resuming action Nov. 24-25 when they welcome UNBC (2-4).