Arron Lai, Pronghorn Athletics
LETHBRIDGE, Alta - Leading by as many as 14 points, the University of Lethbridge Pronghorns held off a rampant comeback by the Trinity Western University Spartans, upending the visitors 80-73.
After trailing by double digits for the majority of the first 25 minutes of play, the Spartans outscored the Pronghorns 11-5 in the final two minutes of the third quarter to put the game within reach, 58-53.
Second-year wing Amy Mazutinec would score the first five points of the fourth quarter, before the Spartans would find a new gear, seemingly appearing to be a different team. Pressuring the Pronghorns on offense with frenetic cuts and movement in the paint, the Spartans would go on a 9-1 run to tie the game at 64 with 6:30 remaining.
From there, both defenses would begin to step up, stifling one another's offenses. After a two minute scoring lull which saw only three points scored on free throws, Asnate Fomina would deliver for the 'Horns on a big three pointer to put the home side up 68-66 with four minutes to play. Kathryn Hankins, a fifth-year senior coming off the bench, would step up late for the 'Horns. Following a key defensive rebound, Hankins would connect on a jumper to put the 'Horns up by four.
However, the Spartans would respond with two, before Kacie Bosch would draw back-to-back fouls, and connect on three of four shots to put the 'Horns up by five. A critical turnover by the Spartans would send the 'Horns back to the line, where Amy Mazutinec would miss both shots, before scoring off an offensive rebound on the missed shot.
A quick basket by the Spartans would be followed by another untimely mistake, this time a foul. Fomina would sink both of her shots, only to be upstaged by a three pointer from Spartans senior Jessie Brown. Never one to shy away from the spotlight, Bosch would answer with a triple of her own to seal the game for the Pronghorns.
With tonight's win, the Pronghorns improve to 10-7 on the season, moving them one step closer to hosting a home playoff game. With the loss, the Spartans drop to an identical 10-7 record.
The 'Horns were led by an impressive 6 of 13 showing off the bench from Kathryn Hankins, who scored 13 points and added 7 rebounds. Kacie Bosch would be her usual self, chipping in 22 points and 6 rebounds, while Amy Mazutinec would add 17 points, connecting on 5 of 7 from three point range.
The visitors were led by a double-double from rookie forward Nicole Fransson (18 points, 10 rebounds), while Jessie Brown (17 points, 6 assists), Sarah Buckingham (13 points), Kianna Wiens (13 points), and Tessa Ratzlaff (10 points) also contributed for the Spartans.
The first quarter saw both teams miss their first shots of the game before ramping up their play on offense. After trading baskets, both teams traded three pointers before the 'Horns would begin to build momentum. The Pronghorns would see contributions from six different players in the quarter, with Kathryn Hankins being an early force off the bench with four points, and two rebounds. With the 'Horns up 19-10 with over a minute to go, back-to-back field goals for the Spartans would bring them within five points to end the quarter. The Pronghorns would attempt six more shots in the quarter, in large part due to their four steals in the opening 10 minutes.
The second quarter would see the 'Horns start hot, with a 6-2 run in the first two minutes of action, building up a nine point lead. Whereas only two fouls were called in the first quarter, both teams began to find themselves in foul trouble - combining for 14 shooting fouls in the quarter. The Pronghorns would get valuable contributions from their bench, as interim head coach Dave Waknuk elected to insert much of his bench into the mix, including a lineup of five that featured four bench players. The Spartans would consistently pressure the Pronghorns throughout much of the quarter, but the Pronghorns would showcase their resiliency, preventing the Spartans from building any momentum.
Anytime the Spartans would string together a pair of baskets, the 'Horns would respond, as they took a 39-30 lead into halftime. Coincidentally, both teams would shoot at identical percentages in both the first and second quarter, with the Spartans shooting at a 35.7% rate in both frames and the 'Horns 40% in both.
The first seven minutes of the third quarter played out similarly to the second, with the teams trading baskets, and opportunities at the line. The Pronghorns would connect on only 2 of 5 of their free throws, while the Spartans would shoot a perfect 8 of 8 from the charity stripe. In the final three minutes of the quarter, the Spartans would finally begin to put together a run, outscoring the 'Horns 8-2 to cut the deficit to five. After a pair of free throw misses by Katie Keith, the 'Horns would grab a key offensive rebound, which they would convert into an Amy Mazutinec three pointer. Not to be outdone, fifth-year Spartan guard would connect on a buzzer beating three pointer to bring Trinity Western within five points to start the fourth quarter.
The Spartans would tie the game midway through the fourth quarter off the heels of a 9-1 run. The 'Horns showcased their resiliency, led down the stretch by Kacie Bosch and Asnate Fomina, winning their fifth consecutive game.
The teams will run it back tomorrow night to wrap up the weekend series in the 'Horns final regular season home game. Tip-off is set for 5 p.m. at the 1st Choice Savings Center in Lethbridge.
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Photo by: MPP Photography