WINNIPEG, MB. – The University of Manitoba Bisons announced the first players of the week for the New Year. Both were also named Canada West First Stars of the week. This marks the first sweep of the “First Stars” by one school since 2016-17 season.

The Female Athlete of the week is Bison third year basketball guard Nicole Konieczny. Konieczny scored the most points in a game so far in 2017-18 season and also the sixth most points ever scored in a CW women’s basketball game.

Konieczny had an amazing weekend as she led the Bisons to a home weekend sweep over one of the top teams in the conference, the Lethbridge Pronghorns. The shooting guard was on fire as she dropped 56 points on a whopping 23-31 field goal shooting (74.2%) plus added 16 rebounds, eight assists and nine steals while starting and playing in 68 minutes.

The Male Athlete of the week honours go to Byron Spriggs, the Bison men’s hockey team goaltender. The Bisons started the New Year with a bang as the earned a home weekend sweep over No. 1 ranked Alberta Golden Bears on Jan. 5-6. With the sweep, the BIsons continue their climb up the Canada West standings as they are in third place.

Spriggs was dominant in both games as he backstopped the Herd to both victories making 63 saves and was named First Star of the Game in both contests.

Manitoba Post with files from the University of Manitoba

Photos gobisons.ca