MacEwan Athletics

WINNIPEG – There isn't much more to analyze when you shoot just 26.8 per cent from the field.

It's pretty apparent why the MacEwan Griffins lost 74-55 to the Manitoba Bisons on Saturday night: their shooting touch went stone cold, Mr. Steven Austin.

It was a stark contrast to a night earlier when they took the Bisons to the limit in an 80-75 defeat.

"The complete difference tonight was our ability to make shots," said Griffins head coach Eric Magdanz. "I thought we did a good job of creating good shots and they just didn't fall for us. Credit to Manitoba, they made their shots."

Manitoba made 41.4 per cent of their shots, to be exact, and were never really threatened in the contest, leading by 15 at half-time and pulling away from there.

Justus Alleyn was the hot-shooter for the Bisons as he went 11-for-15 from the field in bucketing a game-high 27 points. James Wagner added 14 points and nine rebounds.

The Griffins had one guy going. Ali Raza turned in another solid performance with 20 points a night after he scored 19.

"Ali's been consistent for us being aggressive, getting to the rim and being a dual threat from the perimeter and on the inside," said Magdanz. "It's definitely a positive for us going forward to find a leader like that."

Adonis Monfort-Palomino added seven points and nine rebounds, while Dustin Gatzki had a game-high five blocks, six boards and four points.

But, when the shots don't fall, there's nothing you can do but go back to the gym and practice.

"I think it's continually trying to create better shots, as well," said Magdanz. "Trying to penetrate and get to the middle and create open shots for your teammate is important. I think we did a good job of that tonight, but it's something we're going to continue to work on, getting the best shots possible."

The Griffins now head into a bye week before hosting UNBC twice on Nov. 24-25.