BRANDON, Man. – The University of Alberta Golden Bears shot 56.5 per cent from the floor and led almost the entire game in a 97-83 win over the Brandon Bobcats on Saturday, splitting the weekend series.

Alberta jumped on top early, scoring 22 points in the first quarter and 24 in the second to lead 46-35 at halftime. The Golden Bears held the lead through the third quarter, going up 70-59 heading into the fourth, and led by as many as 17 points. Brandon led for just 40 seconds all game.

Isaac Simon and Izzy Helman each scored 21 points for Alberta, with Simon adding seven assists and Helman hitting three of his eight three-point attempts. Kyle Varner added 18 points on 7-for-10 shooting, including three of his four threes, Jack Snead scored 10 off the bench, and Nate Waldron added eight points on a perfect 2-for-2 from the floor. Alberta dished out 27 assists on 35 made field goals and hit 11 of its 23 three-pointers.

Munroop Gill led Brandon with 31 points on 13-for-22 shooting, a day after scoring 43 in the Bobcats' win, but the Golden Bears' defence held the rest of the team in check. Arjun Hehar added 14 points, and Malik Brown had 11 points and six assists for Brandon. The Bobcats shot just 5-for-32 from three-point range and committed 20 turnovers.

The win moves Alberta to 1-1 on the season, while Brandon falls to 1-3.

The Golden Bears will return home to host the Trinity Western Spartans on Friday, Nov. 13, at 8 p.m. Tickets are available at bearsandpandas.ca/tickets.

Brandon will travel to face the MacEwan Griffins on Friday, Nov. 13, at 7 p.m.

-UA-