Alberta Golden Bears Pull Off Stunning Upset Against No. 9 Manitoba
Table of Contents
- 1. Alberta Golden Bears Pull Off Stunning Upset Against No. 9 Manitoba
- 2. What role did Kyle VarnerS three-point shooting play in the Alberta Bears’ upset victory?
- 3. Alberta Bears Roar Past Manitoba
- 4. An Interview wiht Kyle Varner
- 5. Archyde: Kyle, congratulations on the big win last night. that was a nail-biting finish! How are you feeling after such an intense game?
- 6. Archyde: your three-pointers in the final minutes were clutch, especially the fade-away from the corner with five minutes left. tell us about your mindset during those crucial shots.
- 7. Archyde: You also grabbed some crucial rebounds, especially in the final minutes. It seemed like you were everywhere on the court.
- 8. Archyde: How did it feel to contribute to a win against a ranked opponent like Manitoba?
- 9. Archyde: Looking ahead to the rest of the season, what are your goals for yourself and the team?
- 10. Archyde: It’s been a fantastic start to your collegiate career, Kyle. What’s your favorite thing about playing basketball at the University of Alberta?
WINNIPEG – In a thrilling upset that shook the ranks of Canada West men’s basketball, the Alberta Golden Bears stunned the No. 9 ranked Manitoba Bisons with a 71-69 victory at IGAC on Saturday. The win, a testament to the Golden Bears’ grit and determination, catapulted them to thier second victory in the last four games and kept their playoff hopes alive.
Trailing 69-68 with only 13 seconds remaining on the clock, Alberta orchestrated a breathtaking finish. Forward Ethan Egert expertly found rookie Nash Semeniuk cutting towards the basket, and Semeniuk capitalized on the opportunity with a clutch layup to secure the lead.Manitoba, despite gaining possession after the foul, failed to capitalize on their final chance as Semeniuk again demonstrated his defensive prowess with a crucial steal, effectively ending the game at the free-throw line.
The victory propelled Alberta’s record to 5-9, solidifying their position in the final playoff spot within Canada West’s Prairie Division. Their upcoming matchup against regina at home next weekend promises to be another exciting battle in their quest for a postseason berth.
Manitoba, though disappointed with the loss, remained competitive with an 11-3 record, trailing only the No. 4 ranked Winnipeg Wesmen by a single game. The Bisons now face a crucial home-and-home series against their city rivals this weekend, a battle that could significantly impact their standing in the division.
Semeniuk emerged as a shining star for Alberta over the weekend, showcasing his potential with a remarkable 42 points across two games. “He offered up a taste of what’s to come in the next five years,” commented a team official. His contributions went beyond scoring, adding two crucial steals and six assists in Saturday’s game, while logging valuable playing time in 30 minutes.
alongside Semeniuk, rookie Kyle Varner delivered a standout performance, achieving a game-high 16 points. “He was particularly important late in the fourth, ” said a coach, praising Varner’s clutch three-point shooting and tenacious defense.He sank two pivotal three-pointers in the final minutes, including a fade-away shot from the corner with 5:10 remaining, shrinking Manitoba’s lead to 65-63. With two minutes left on the clock, he nailed yet another contested three-pointer, tying the game at 68 and setting the stage for Alberta’s game-winning play.
The Bisons displayed remarkable offensive versatility throughout the game, with nine different players contributing to the score. Barac Thon had a standout weekend for Manitoba, tying his career high with 12 points and hitting a personal best four three-pointers, earning accolades for his performance. Mason Kraus, another perimeter threat, contributed a game-high 20 points, also sinking four three-pointers.
The Bisons’ reliance on three-point shooting was evident throughout the game. They connected on 13 three-pointers, illustrating their ability to strike from beyond the arc. “when they needed a key bucket, the hosts dialed up from distance,” remarked a sports commentator. Highlights included crucial three-pointers by Kraus and thon in the first quarter, after Alberta had opened up a 12-point lead. In the third quarter, Thon and Brandt Lenz continued the three-point barrage, each hitting two, helping Manitoba extend their lead to five points in the final minute.
Despite the Bisons’ ability from long range, Alberta remained resilient. they secured crucial rebounds when it mattered most, including two key rebounds from Varner. One of those rebounds directly led to Varner’s game-tying three-pointer.
Ultimately, the Golden Bears’ teamwork and determination proved to be the deciding factors. Led by Ethan Egert’s nine rebounds and Varner’s seven, Alberta outrebounded Manitoba 39-30. Cieran O’Hara led Manitoba with a game-high 10 rebounds, showcasing the Bisons’ dominance on the boards.
What role did Kyle VarnerS three-point shooting play in the Alberta Bears’ upset victory?
Alberta Bears Roar Past Manitoba
An Interview wiht Kyle Varner
Kyle Varner, a rookie guard for the Alberta Golden Bears, had a breakout performance in their thrilling upset victory over the No. 9 ranked Manitoba Bisons. Archyde sat down with Varner to discuss the game:
Archyde: Kyle, congratulations on the big win last night. that was a nail-biting finish! How are you feeling after such an intense game?
Kyle Varner:
We’re all buzzing! That was definitely a game we won as a team. Everyone contributed and played their hearts out. It feels unbelievable to pull off an upset against a team like Manitoba.
Archyde: your three-pointers in the final minutes were clutch, especially the fade-away from the corner with five minutes left. tell us about your mindset during those crucial shots.
Kyle Varner:
I just tried to stay calm and take what the defense gave me. My teammates did a great job of finding me in open spots. I knew those were big shots for us, and I wanted to deliver for my team.
Archyde: You also grabbed some crucial rebounds, especially in the final minutes. It seemed like you were everywhere on the court.
Kyle Varner:
My teammates have been telling me all season that I need to be more aggressive on the boards. Being a rookie, sometimes I can get lost in the moment, but I knew this game was going to come down to the wire, so I tried to be more physical and make my presence felt on both ends of the court.
Archyde: How did it feel to contribute to a win against a ranked opponent like Manitoba?
Kyle Varner:
It was a huge confidence booster for me and for the whole team. To knock off a top-ten team on the road like that shows we can compete with anyone in this league. It’s a statement win, and it gets us right back in the playoff hunt.
Archyde: Looking ahead to the rest of the season, what are your goals for yourself and the team?
Kyle Varner:
Right now, our main goal is to make the playoffs. We know it’s going to be a tough battle, but we’re confident in our abilities. as for myself, I just want to continue to grow and improve my game. I want to be a reliable player for this team, someone my coach and teammates can count on.
Archyde: It’s been a fantastic start to your collegiate career, Kyle. What’s your favorite thing about playing basketball at the University of Alberta?
Kyle Varner:
This has been such an amazing experience. I love being part of this team, the coaching staff, and the whole university community. The fan support has been incredible, and I feel so lucky to be representing Alberta on the court.
