A near-miracle make wasn't to be for the Winnipeg Wesmen.

Jennifer Edwards' potential game-winning shot from just inside halfcourt at the buzzer hit the front rim and the Wesmen women's basketball team dropped a 73-71 Canada West conference decision to the Manitoba Bisons Friday at the Investors Group Athletic Centre. 

The Wesmen, who trailed 44-39 at the halftime break and were down by as many as nine in the fourth, rallied with under three minutes to go in the fourth.

Trailing, 70-61 with 2:35 to go, Winnipeg tore off an 8-2 run and held the Bisons without a point for the final 90 seconds. 

Jennifer Kallon had a key steal and fastbreak layup that cut the Bisons edge to two with 30 seconds left. The Wesmen then got a stop with a Taylor Schepp miss with four seconds to go and the ball found its way to Edwards in transition, but her shot from halfcourt rimmed out and the Bisons escaped with the win. 

The Wesmen (2–8) got a standout effort from Jazmin Birch, who poured in a season-high 19 points on 9-of-14 shooting, while Raia Guinto added 15. Edwards scored 10 with six rebounds and three assists. Carmen Hiebert had a game-high 10 rebounds. 
 

Manitoba (2-8) got 15 points each from Ayva Khan and Anna Miko, while Tryeah Paquette scored 12.