DAVID LARKINS, Wesmen Athletics

A first-quarter surge gave the Winnipeg Wesmen the momentum they needed to win a critical Canada West clash Friday night in Brandon. 

Faith Hezekiah had 26 points and tied a season-high with 15 rebounds, and the Wesmen women's basketball team outscored the Brandon Bobcats 24-6 in the first quarter on its way to an 87-63 victory. 

The win moved Winnipeg to 3-8, while Brandon fell to 2-7 in a battle of teams looking to move into the top 12 of the conference and into playoff contention. 

Robyn Boulanger had a season-high 24 points off the bench for Winnipeg, which held a 44-32 lead at halftime. 

Farrah Castillo added 17 points, eight rebounds, four assists and three steals and Jessica Dyck chipped in with 10 points.

Hezekiah's double-double was her sixth of the season and 24th of her career, which is eighth all-time in Canada West history. 

Hailey Maas had 18 points to lead Brandon, which got 11 points and 13 rebounds from Lauren Anderson and 12 points from Adrianna Proulx.

The win was also head coach Tanya McKay's 498th overall career victory. 

The teams meet again Saturday in Winnipeg at 7 p.m.

—#REPTHEW—