Marcus ISO Moore led the Griffins with 16 points as they knocked off U SPORTS No. 5 Winnipeg on Saturday (Husain Dhooma photo).
Marcus ISO Moore led the Griffins with 16 points as they knocked off U SPORTS No. 5 Winnipeg on Saturday (Husain Dhooma photo).
November 1, 2025

Massive victory for new-look Griffins as they knock off nationally-ranked Wesmen 79-70

Program Tickets Box Score

Jefferson Hagen
MacEwan Athletics

EDMONTON – There was no water dumped on David Kapinga's head this time like after their first win of the season at Saskatchewan Oct. 24.

"We got that over with," laughed the Griffins men's basketball head coach after they knocked off U SPORTS No. 5 Winnipeg 79-70 on Saturday night for one of the biggest wins in program history. "I'm very happy. I was scared because guys were smirking when they came out."

It sure was a celebration, though. 

"It was a celebration in there for our fifth-years, number one, and what they're accomplishing right now," said Kapinga. "We challenged them to be leaders today and they did just that. I'm super, super happy with the performance."

All things considered with Winnipeg entering the game as one of only four remaining undefeated teams in Canada West, it might be the biggest triumph the program has had since beating Alberta in a playoff game 10 seasons ago.

Even still, the post-game celebration was more happiness and the meeting of an expectation than ecstasy mixed with relief like their last home win when they beat Brandon last November to bust a long losing streak.

"We're still not satisfied," said Nathanael Ntumba on what it meant to beat a nationally-ranked team. "A lot of people have this narrative about the Griffins. We can improve and we can change. I think we're on the right path."

No one who watched the game would disagree with that statement. Especially those who dug into how the Griffins won.

After racing out to a 10-0 lead in the opening minutes, the Griffins survived a furious Winnipeg third-quarter comeback, regained the lead and closed it out with a clinical display of ball possession.

All of those things would have eluded previous Griffins teams, but this group is different.

"Thank God for last week's game when we survived against Saskatchewan (82-80) because we learned how to keep possession, how not to freak out when the other team is coming and punching us," said Kapinga. "That's what I reminded them of. The journey to become a winner is a journey. There's failure within that journey and there's good moments. We've got to learn from each of those."

With the victory, the Griffins improved to 2-2 on the campaign, dropping Winnipeg to 2-1.

Ntumba was a huge key to the win as his intensity on defence was infectious. When the dust settled, the 6-foot-8 third-year Pickering, Ont. product had 15 rebounds – tied for the third-most ever by a Griffin in a Canada West game – and left a wrecked Winnipeg offence in his wake.

"Yesterday we played really, really bad and lost by 28," said Ntumba. "Our coach, assistants and staff, we went over the plays, went over the scout and made sure everything was well prepared – better than yesterday. They told me what they wanted from me and I just delivered. That's all. 

"I want to thank my teammates because they pointed me in the right direction. Nothing is possible without my teammates."

Marcus ISO Moore was also fantastic in the contest, leading the Griffins with 16 points and five steals, while Diego Presingular had 14, but it was a total team effort that led to the win as 10 MacEwan players hit the scoresheet.

Winnipeg got 19 points from Malachi Alexander, 14 from Elijah Mensah and 12 from Emmanuel Ugbah.

"After yesterday's game, there wasn't much to say except they cared about the details and we didn't," said Kapinga. "Our conversation after watching film with the coaching staff was 'what details can we change that will make the biggest impact?' And I felt like we did that. We changed the starting lineup, who were worried about the details, and that reflected into everyone believing in that mission of what we're trying to do. I'm really, really happy with the changes we made. The guys responded."

Still, the Wesmen, as expected, hit back, erasing a double digit deficit with some strong defence of their own. They took a 48-47 lead – their first of the game – on Ugbah's basket with 1:35 left in the third quarter.

A key turning point in the game was what happened next. Hugo Alonso drained a three from the corner to stop a near six-minute scoring drought for the Griffins and give them a 50-48 advantage going into the final quarter – a lead they'd never relinquish again.

"Big three," said Kapinga. "I think confidence is such a big thing when it comes to sports. When you see that team fighting back and getting back on top, I know for a lot of these guys it brings back PTSD – 'Oh, we're doing so well and then we still lose because of one little run that the other team makes.' 

"So, that three settled everybody down – 'it's not over, we can still win.' That was a really, really big three by Hugo."

Now, the Griffins have the confidence they can beat anybody. Next up is another home doubleheader vs. Thompson Rivers next Friday (7 p.m.) and Saturday (5 p.m., both David Atkinson Gym, Canada West TV).