Eoin Colquhoun, Pronghorn Athletics
LETHBRIDGE – In an offensive rhythm all night, the UBC Thunderbirds completed their second weekend sweep of the season, downing the Lethbridge Pronghorns 76-65 in Canada West women's basketball action.
UBC edged the Pronghorns 65-63 a night ago and shot the ball over 50% in each quarter en route to the win this evening.
The loss was the fourth consecutive for the Pronghorns and drops their record to 10-6 on the season. With the win UBC improves to 6-8 and sit in the finally playoff position in Canada West.
"Really pleased with the process but not the outcome," said Pronghorn head coach Dave Adams. "We have struggled to find our identity after the Christmas break, until the second half tonight."
"Great time for us to enter our bye week to focus on continued improvement. We want to host here for playoffs so we need to finish out the regular season strong."
The duo of Maddison Penn and Keylyn Filewich did the bulk of the damage for the Thunderbirds and were a handful for the Pronghorns all night. Both recorded double-doubles and combined to score 46 of the T-Birds 76 points. Penn had a game high25 points and 13 rebounds, while a night after putting up 27 points and 12 rebounds, Filewich had another strong performance with 21 points and 10 rebounds.
For the Pronghorns Amy Mazutinec was the lone Pronghorn to reach double digits with 11 points. Katie Keith chipped in with eight points and six rebounds and Millay Johnson came off the bench to score seven points.
A night after squeaking out a two point win, the Thunderbirds started quick and shot the ball exceptionally well all night and kept the Lethbridge offense off balance for the opening 20 minutes.
In the first quarter, UBC hit on 53.8% and held a 17-10 lead through 10 minutes, while the Pronghorns hit only four field goals during that time for 22.2%.
UBC's hot hand continued into the second, putting up another 19 points, while improving their percentage to 57.1 and a 14 point at the break.
The Pronghorns, after hitting only eight field goals in the opening half, finally began to find their offensive stride in the third quarter, making nine shots and clawing within 10 points with one quarter to play.
Riding the momentum from the third quarter, the Pronghorns continued to claw themselves back into the game, cutting the lead to six with just under five minutes to play but a Thunderbird 13-3 run put the game away for the visitors.
On the night, the Thunderbirds shot 55.4% and grabbed 42 rebounds to the Pronghorns 34. After a tough shooting opening quarter, the Pronghorns finished the night shooting 34.3% but can build off a solid second half.
The Pronghorns head into their bye week and will return in two weeks' time for a home-and-home series with provincial rival Calgary Dinos. The Thunderbirds will return home to host the MacEwan Griffins.