The University of Winnipeg Wesmen opened up a weekend series against the MacEwan University Griffins with a last minute 89-85 victory Friday evening in Edmointon, Alberta.

Winnipeg (10-5) was led by Denzel Lynch Blair's 18 points. Sean Tarver came off the bench to score 17. Ryan Oirbans finished with a double-double 13 points and 13 rebounds. Marcello Kambola had 11 points, including three-three pointers.

Keith Gerdes led the Griffins (4-11) with 22 points. Thadius Galvez was next with 21 points.

The difference was so minute that it might give MacEwan's players nightmares. Within the final minute, Winnipeg's Denzel Lynch-Blair was given an extra two trips to the free-throw line – one off a jump ball that gave possession back to the Wesmen and another when he was fouled while grabbing the rebound off his own missed free throw.

"They did a tremendous job of executing and keeping the pressure on us possession by possession and we had to make some free throws and a couple tough buckets just to hang on. We're fortunate to escape", said Wesmen head coach Mike Raimbault.

The Wesmen built their lead with an impressive 17-2 run to close out the first quarter and a 16-6 run to finish up the third.

The two teams will wrap up weekend play Saturday night. Tip off is scheduled for 8:00 p.m. Wpg time.