Bison Amarjit Basi drives to the net
Bisons sweep the Duckworth Challenge, and the playoffs begin
After winning both basketball games on Feb. 13 at Investors Group Athletic Centre, the Bisons finished the 23rd annual Duckworth Challenge with a 5-0 sweep of crosstown rival the University of Winnipeg Wesmen.
With a 70-67 victory in men’s basketball over the Wesman and a 69-66 (OT) win over the Wesmen in women’s basketball on Thursday, the Bisons accomplished the first ever 5-0 sweep in the 23-year history of the challenge. With the Wesman now fielding a women’ s soccer team in conference play, the two universities made the Duckworth Challenge into a competition of five games over three sports with the winner of the title in a best three out of five.
There had only been three sweeps during the first 22 editions of the Duckworth Challenge ( U of M in 1991-92 and 2009-10; U of W in 1992-93).
A brief history of the contest
The Manitoba Bisons won the 23rd annual Duckworth Challenge against the University of Winnipeg Wesmen after sweep of volleyball matches on October 24, 2013.
The Bisons now hold a winning Duckworth Challenge overall record of 12-6-5 in the contest’s 23 year history. Overall, Manitoba’s Duckworth Challenge record in all games stands at: 52-39 with the Bisons breakdown in women’s soccer matches at 1-0; basketball games overall record at: 17-27 (women’s: 7-15; men’s: 10-12) and volleyball matches overall record at: 34-12 (women’s: 17-6; men’s: 17-6).
The Duckworth Challenge was started by Dr. Henry E. Duckworth (president of the University of Winnipeg from 1971-81 and Chancellor of the University of Manitoba from 1986-92) in an effort to profile the intense but friendly cross-town rivalry between the University of Winnipeg and the University of Manitoba. It originated in the 1991-92 season.
The playoff picture this weekend
Investors Group Athletic Center
Women’s Vball – ranked 5th Nationally (4th in Canada West Conference)
Fri., Feb. 14, at 6:30 p.m.
Sat., Feb. 15, at 6:30 p.m.
Sun., Feb. 16, at 2:30 p.m. if necessary
There will be no other Bison playoff games at IGAC this year.
Wayne Fleming Arena
Women’s Hockey – ranked 4th in Canada West Conference
Fri., Feb. 14, at 3 p.m. (Men play regular season game at 7 p.m.)
Sat., Feb. 15, at 2 p.m. (Men play regular season game at 6 p.m.)
Sun., Feb. 16, at 2 p.m. if necessary
Men’s Hockey
Fri. Feb. 14, at 7 p.m.
Sat. Feb. 15, 6 p.m.