WINNIPEG — The Manitoba Bisons men's basketball team welcomed the Saskatchewan Huskies to Investors Group Athletic Centre for a Friday night Canada West matchup.

The Bisons were looking for revenge on their home court, as the Huskies had won the season's previous two meetings in Saskatoon.

Friday's game proved to be the most competitive of the season series, but Manitoba couldn't break through against their prairie rivals, losing 66-61.

The teams traded baskets to start the game before the Bisons got into foul trouble late in the first quarter. The Huskies converted all six of their free throw attempts but couldn't pull away from Manitoba, who kept the deficit to three after one quarter.

In the second quarter, a more disciplined Bisons team took advantage of Saskatchewan getting into foul trouble and took an eight-point lead into the locker room. Fourth year guard Risto Zimbakov sparked the black and gold with three triples in the quarter and James Wagner led the Bisons in points and rebounds at the break.

The Huskies were the aggressors to begin the second half, starting the third quarter with a 7-0 run. Manitoba eventually found their footing again and built a 49-45 lead heading into the fourth quarter.

A dramatic final frame saw the teams go back and forth, with no team leading by more than six at any point. With 19 seconds left, Saskatchewan's Marquavian Stephens knocked down a pair of free throws to ice the game for the Huskies.

The win gives the Huskies a 9-4 record.

"Our guys gutted it out," said Huskies head coach Barry Rawlyk. "Our pressure created some turnovers and hopefully we can clean up some of our defensive game tomorrow."

The loss for Manitoba drops their record to 6-7 on the year.

"The biggest focus going into tomorrow is taking care of the ball," said Bisons head coach Kirby Schepp. "We also need to be more aggressive against their pressure tomorrow."

The Bisons and Huskies will meet for the fourth and final time Saturday at 7 p.m. in a rematch at Investors Group Athletic Centre.