DAVID LARKINS, Wesmen Athletics

The Manitoba Bisons didn't hit a lot of threes Thursday, but they hit the biggest one. 

James Wagner knocked down a three-pointer with 27 seconds left to break a tie and lift the Bisons to a 76-73 Canada West conference men's basketball win over the Winnipeg Wesmen Thursday night at the Investors Group Athletic Centre.

The Bisons shot just 5-for-23 from three on the night, but got Wagner's shot at a critical time and after the Wesmen seemed to let up defensively after Keiran Zziwa air-balled a three of his own just seconds earlier. 

Don Dayrit led the Wesmen with 19 points, four rebounds, three assists and two steals, while Shawn Maranan had 16 points off 6-for-10 shooting with five rebounds. Eric Racine came off the bench for 11 points, six rebounds, four assists and three steals. 

The Bisons benefitted from 38 free throws on the night, to Winnipeg's 20. The Bisons shot 18 free throws in the second quarter alone. 

Winnipeg hit on 8 of 25 from three and shot 39.7 per cent from the field overall. 

Zziwa had 29 points to lead Manitoba, which also got 16 from Wagner and 10 from Mason Kraus.

—#REPTHEW—