The University of Alberta Golden Bears basketball team struggled in their home opener, dropping a 71-60 decision to the Winnipeg Wesmen on Friday night in Edmonton.

The loss drops Alberta to 1-2 on the season, while Winnipeg earns its first win of the 2015-16 season and improves to 1-2.

The Bears, fresh off a split in UBC last weekend, committed 21 turnovers against Winnipeg on Friday night, and were outscored 41-26 in the second half. Alberta did lead the Wesmen 34-30 at the break, but gave up nine more turnovers in the second half to help Winnipeg to the win.

The Wesmen, meanwhile, shot 48% from the floor in the second half and outscored their host 23-14 in the third quarter and 18-12 in the fourth to earn the victory.

Fifth-year forward Jelane Price put back a team high 21 points to lead the Wesmen, while third-year forward Ryan Oirbans, who is originally from Melbourne, Australia, added five points, 10 rebounds and three blocks.

The Golden Bears were led by third-year forward Mamadou Gueye who recorded a double-double, getting 21 points and 11 rebounds. Sebastien Denault pulled down a game high 14 rebounds for Alberta, while rookie forward Brody Clarke collected eight points and seven boards in his home court conference game debut.

Alberta did out-rebound Winnipeg, bringing down 49 to the Wesmen 43, but the U of W won virtually every other statistical category as they outshot Alberta 41% to 31% from the floor, 30% to 21% from the three-point line and picked up six blocks and nine steals.

The two teams were evenly matched after the opening 10 minutes, with Winnipeg ahead slightly 18-16, but the Bears could have been in better shape if they had protected the ball a little better. Barnaby Craddock's squad handed out seven turnovers in the first quarter of the game, but only found themselves down by two going into the second quarter.

They ramped up their play in the second quarter, outscoring the Wesmen 18-12 to earn a half-time lead of 34-30.

It went south for the Evergreen and Gold in the second half as Winnipeg overtook the lead and ultimately ran away with the game.

The two teams will clash again on Saturday night at the SCSC, with tip-off scheduled for 8:00 p.m.(Wpg Time..Live on canadawest.tv)

-Files from University of Alberta Sports Information