EDMONTON - Morgan Harris set a career-high with 20 points to help lead the Alberta Pandas to a 77-59 victory over the Manitoba Bisons Saturday evening at the Saville Centre.

Harris added five rebounds and eight assists in a standout performance on a night where Alberta needed it, as they shot just 43% from the field and struggled to piece any runs together. The win, their second straight, moves them to 12-2, and in a tie with Calgary for third place in the Prairie Division. They travel to Regina next weekend for a set against the Cougars.

The Bisons saw another great performance from third-year Anna Miko, who finished with a game-high 22 points in what was a 44-point weekend for the Manitoba star. The Bisons were impressive on the defensive end, but were also not able to solve their Albertan counterparts as they were held to a 35% mark from the field. They finish up the series with a 3-11 record, and will look to get back on track next weekend hosting the MacEwan Griffins.

Alberta hopped out to an early 14-4 lead on the back of Morgan Harris who scored six of those to go with a remarkable three steals in the opening five minutes of the game. However, the Pandas offence dried up a bit from there as the Bisons tightened up on the defensive end, specifically in the rebound department where they had allowed seven Alberta offensive rebounds in the opening five. The opener ended 25-17 after the Bisons Samantha Onyebuchi hit a buzzer-beating three at the end of the frame.

The visitors continued to hang around for most of the second quarter, but the Pandas were able to still win the quarter 20-12 thanks to Kiah Easton-Ihediohanma and the phenomenal defence of McKinley Penninga, who had six boards in the frame alone. Alberta headed into the break with a 45-29 lead.

Manitoba captured the momentum out of the half, thanks to a much improved offence led by guard Taylor Schlepp and forward Anna Miko, and a stingier defence that held the Pandas to a 38% mark from the field. Alberta did get a few opportunities from the line, but were three-for-eight in a forgettable shooting quarter. The Pandas headed into the fourth with a 57-45 lead.

The Pandas allowed the Bisons to hang around in the fourth, but ultimately held on to win this one 77-59.