BB: MAN forward, VIC guard star in season openers
Hildebrandt, Day named CW Players of the Week
CALGARY – Manitoba's Simon Hildebrandt and Victoria's Ashlyn Day were named the Canada West Basketball Players of the Week by the conference on Tuesday.
Hildebrandt led the Bisons to a statement weekend, posting 46 points as Manitoba upset the Alberta Golden Bears in back-to-back games. The rookie forward contributed all over the floor, scoring in a variety of ways while setting up plays and showing up big on defence. His efforts helped the Bisons hand the Bears their first regular season loss since February 2020.
He notched 18 points, six rebounds, two assists and a steal in the 100-81 victory.
In the rematch Saturday, the hometown hero was determined to prove the season opener wasn't a fluke. He went off for 28 points as the teams battled tooth and nail, swinging back and forth until the game's second overtime. That's when Hildebrant's nerves of steel paid off, as the forward made two key free throws with the game tied and time winding down.
The free throws were two of Hildebrandt's 14, as he went perfect from the line, each bucket instrumental in the tight match.
He added six rebounds, two assists, a block and steal on the night, sending a statement to the league as the Bisons started their season with wins over the team ranked second in the preseason coaches' poll.
Hildebrandt and the Bisons will be back in action Friday and Saturday when they travel to take on the Fraser Valley Cascades at 8 p.m. and 7 p.m. PST. You can catch the action exclusively on Canada West TV.
Game log:
Nov. 4: 18 pts, 6 rebs, 2 asts, 1 stl in 100-81 W vs ALB
Nov. 5: 28 pts, 6 rebs, 2 asts, 1 blk, 1 stl in 93-88 W vs ALB
Meanwhile, Ashlyn Day was perfecting her game, also showing off her versatility while leading her Victoria Vikes Friday evening. The fifth-year guard was just one rebound short of an impressive double-double as she put up 28 points, an assist and two steals in a nail-biter against Lethbridge.
The Vikes went on to lose by one, before returning Saturday in an exciting rematch. Day would not be denied, going off for 34 points, 14 rebounds and a steal as Victoria flipped the script from the previous night and defeated the Pronghorns by a single bucket. She was responsible for nearly half her team's scoring in a match where every point mattered.
Day's 62 points have her out to an early but sizeable lead in the the conference scoring race.
Day and the Vikes will be back in action on Friday and Saturday when they host Winnipeg at 6 p.m. and 5 p.m. PST respectively. You can catch the games exclusively on Canada West TV.
Game log:
Nov. 4: 28 pts, 9 rebs, 1 ast, 2 stls in 72-71 L at LET
Nov. 5: 34 pts, 14 rebs, 1 stl in 71-69 W at LET