MBB | Bobcats Outlast Huskies

WINNIPEG – In a physical tilt, the No. 8 seeded Brandon Bobcats out-lasted the No. 9 seed Saskatchewan Huskies 62-55 during the play-in round of the Canada West playoffs at IGAC, thanks in part to an 11-4 run in the final four minutes to seal the deal.

All-Star and leading scorer Sultan Haider Bhatti led the way for Brandon with 19 points, including two huge shots during a personal 5-0 run in the late stages, along with 13 rebounds.

“All week we’ve been working hard getting cardio in, going to the gym. We practice the same way we play. That’s what we did today. Everyone was still in shape,” said Haider Bhatti, part of a shallow Bobcats bench at the end of the game due to injury and fouls. 

“Everyone was making shots. That’s just how we do it in Brandon. I’m in the gym every day working on my shot. Those are the shots I take every day, I wasn’t afraid to take them.”

Fisayo Moibi led Sask with 12 points, however they were all scored in the first half in a game that saw 18 combined steals. Noah Nickel finished with a game-high three steals for the Huskies.

“At the start of the game, I think there were a lot of nerves. We played a little timid, and there were loose basketballs and a lot of live ball turnovers,” said Nickel.

“Really that’s where Brandon plays best and we know that. Coming into the second half we tried to control that. Really coming down to it, Brandon made more big shots in the end.” 

After combining for 31 steals in two regular season contests, the two teams were at it again in the playoffs, tallying 10 steals overall in the first half. 

Seven of those steals came from the Bobcats, led by Sultan Haider Bhatti’s two. Overall, six different Bobcats had a steal in a fast-paced opening 20, while Haider Bhatti led all scorers with 11 in a 34-31 lead for Brandon at the break. The veteran’s most impressive play came on an assist, where he drove in the lane, before dishing a no-look pass to Dominique Dennis for three.

After being held to just two points in two regular season games against Brandon, fifth-year guard Fisayo Moibi stepped up big for the Huskies, scoring a game-high 12 points on 50 percent shooting from the field, as the Huskies came back from nine down in the final three minutes to cut Brandon’s lead to one score.

The defensive slugfest continued in the second half, with just eight combined points in the first five minutes of the third. 

Every rebound was contested, with Jack McDonald and Haider Bhatti combining for three each for Brandon, while Chan De Ciman and Kymahni Bent both had two for the Huskies.

Five more steals were also recorded, including one each by Haider Bhatti and Emmanuel Bonsu. Both stole the ball in transition in the final minute as the Bobcats entered the fourth up 45-39. 

A 5-0 run gave the Huskies a 49-48 lead with four minutes to play, including a steal and bucket from the longest-serving basketball player in U SPORTS, Chan De Ciman.

A Travis Hamberger triple in transition tied the game at 51 with 4:34 to go, and that’s when the Bobcats tightened up, surrendering just four more points the rest of the way.

Haider Bhatti drained a fade away triple during the Bobcats’ 11-4 run, and he added a mid range jumper which gave his side a 59-55 lead.

Next up for Brandon is quarter final battle against No. 1 seed Victoria tomorrow at 3 pm.