Gordon's first-half double double stakes Griffins to early lead, but they can't hang on in loss to Bisons
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | T |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
20 | 22 | 17 | 13 | 72 |
|
|
19 | 22 | 21 | 19 | 81 |
Team Stats
Manitoba
| Game Statistics | MacEwan University | Manitoba |
|---|---|---|
| Field Goals | (26-69) | (29-68) |
| Field Goal % | 37.7% | 42.6% |
| Rebounds | 39 | 45 |
| Assists | 16 | 19 |
| Turnovers | 14 | 12 |
| Pts off Turnovers | 13 | 19 |
| 2nd Chance Pts | 12 | 17 |
| Pts in the Paint | 36 | 50 |
| Fastbreak Pts | 5 | 6 |
| Bench Pts | 0 | 0 |
Jefferson Hagen
MacEwan Athletics
WINNIPEG, Man. – Toni Gordon's performance in the first 20 minutes on Friday ranks among the best single-half performances in Griffins women's basketball history.
As they were cooling their heels at half-time, she'd already hung a double double (17 points and 11 rebounds) on the Manitoba Bisons.
The Griffins had a narrow lead, too, up 42-41.
Unfortunately, none of it would last into the second half as the Bisons took control with a late third-quarter surge and held on for an 81-72 victory.
Gordon still finished with a career-high 21 points and 15 rebounds for the sixth double double of her career, tying her with Kelly O'Hallahan for third in the program's Canada West history behind only Kayla Ivicak (22) and Kelly Fagan (12).
"She certainly set the tone for us," said Griffins head coach Katherine Adams of Gordon, who also had two blocks, two assists and two steals. "She was a spark. She was pretty determined to make her impact on the game early. She got downhill, she used that blazing speed of hers to get to the rim.
"I think it's the most calm and composed I've seen her in her play. She capitalized on the opportunities that she created for herself and she rebounded the basketball. She had a double double in the first half, which is outrageous and wildly impressive."
Toni Gordon kisses one off the window to give her 17 points (and 11 rebounds) in just the first half!
— MacEwan Griffins Women's Basketball Team (@Griffins_WBB) January 24, 2026
Her huge effort paces the @MacEwanGriffins to a 42-41 lead over @umbisons after 20 minutes in #YWG.
Watch the rest of the barnburner on @CanadaWest TV.#GriffNation pic.twitter.com/BlwuDUOBkq
Unity Obasuyi added 18 points, while Samantha Hickey had 13 points, seven rebounds and three blocks, and both Allie Spenrath and Paige Massier bucketed nine apiece.
"In general, Toni certainly set the tone," said Adams. "Manitoba came out and they were face-guarding Unity, which we expect teams to do now to take away any opportunities for her at the offensive end. I thought we did a really good job of adjusting to that and playing well.
"Other people had their moment to step up and contribute and I think you see that overall in the distribution of our scoring in and amongst our starting lineup today."
Manitoba was led by Anna Miko, who had 28 points and 14 boards, while Taylor Schepp scored 22 points.
"They had two players who hurt us at the offensive end," said Adams. "We made some adjustments in game to manage them, but we're going to have to look at that and find some ways to force some other people to contribute for them tomorrow. That's the big thing."
As they prepare for Saturday's rematch (4 p.m. MT, Canada West TV), the Griffins will also be looking to shore up their own game, which cracked at the seams late in the third quarter and early fourth, costing them a winnable game against the 4-11 Bisons. MacEwan is now 0-15.
"There was a stretch to end the third quarter, early in the fourth where some defensive discipline – a few mishaps that they capitalized on," said Adams. "We sent them to the free throw line and gave them some points that we didn't need to and that was ultimately the difference in the game. It put them up and gave them a margin that they were able to hold until the end."
