Arron Lai, Pronghorn Athletics 

LETHBRIDGE, Alta - On a night which they celebrated their graduating seniors in their final home game of the regular season, the University of Lethbridge Pronghorns put together a complete performance in a 88-54 rout of the Trinity Western University Spartans. 

Whereas on Friday night the Spartans were able to use an impressive fourth quarter to comeback from a fourteen point deficit to tie the game late, the 'Horns had run away with the game by halftime. Holding the Spartans to only four made shots on 24 attempts in the first half, an inspired defensive performance by the Pronghorns led the way in a dominant victory. The Pronghorns would outscore the Spartans 40-15 in the first half, and 48-39 in the second half to pace themselves to a win, improving to 11-7 on the season. Trinity Western drops to 10-8 with the loss. 

After the game, the 'Horns celebrated the careers of Medicine Hat native Danielle Fritzke, Cardston native Logan Moncks, and Chehalis, Washington native Kathryn Hankins. All three women had a tremendous impact on the Pronghorns program. 

Entering the game, the Pronghorns had won five games in a row thanks to sweeps of the Mount Royal Cougars, and the Victoria Vikes. With this victory, the 'Horns extend their winning streak to six games, finishing the home schedule with a pristine 8-2 record. 

The Pronghorns were led on the night by Asnate Fomina who scored 27 points on an impressive 5 of 6 from three point range, while adding eight rebounds and two steals. Fourth-year Kacie Bosch posted 17 points on 8 of 14 shooting, while adding five rebounds, and four assists. The Pronghorns shot an impressive 52.2% (35 of 67) from the field, while outrebounding the Spartans 44 to 33. 

Despite the blowout, the Spartans were led by their fifth-year senior, Jessie Brown, who scored 17 points, with 11 of those 14 shots coming from the charity stripe. 

The first quarter got off to a sluggish start, as both teams struggled to find their shot. The opening five minutes would see the teams combine for only eight points. The back half of the quarter saw the 'Horns go on a 9-0 run in a 2:30 minute span, thanks to baskets by Jessica Zarowny, Fomina, Amy Mazutinec, and Bosch. The 'Horns were able to hold the Spartans to only one basket from that point on, while connecting on a buzzer beating lay-up, to take a 20-6 lead into the second quarter. Fomina would score seven points on four shots in the quarter, adding a steal and a rebound. The Pronghorns would limit the Spartans to only ten shots in the quarter. 

The Spartans would come out with their feet under them in the second quarter, matching the 'Horns with five points a piece in the first four minutes of the quarter. Although the TWU offense would begin to click, the Pronghorns did not slow down on offense, using their relentless effort on the boards to out-rebound the visitors 27-15 (including eight offensive boards). A late offensive rebound by Sydney Andres would sum up the quarter, as the 'Horns would score on another buzzer beating layup to take a 40-15 lead into halftime. The Pronghorns shared the ball at an exceptional rate in the quarter, recording eight assists on 16 made baskets in the half. 

The third quarter was more of the same for Lethbridge, as the aggressive play of the 'Horns was too much for the Spartans. Offensively, the Pronghorns would drive the ball into the paint with regular success, while finding an open shooter on the wing if the Spartans had stacked the box. Defensively, the 'Horns would be relentless with their pressure on shooters, while also overwhelming the visitors on the glass. As was the case in the first two quarters, a buzzer-beater would end the frame, but this time the Spartans would connect thanks to a three pointer by graduating senior Tessa Ratzlaff. The 'Horns would bring a 67-30 lead into the final ten minutes. 

Although they had the game won, the 'Horns would continue to work hard and play their brand of basketball, rebounding the ball, drawing fouls, as well as aggressively attacking the Spartans in the paint and from three.  

The Pronghorns will wrap up their Canada West regular season schedule next weekend, as they travel west to face the 10-7 UNBC Timberwolves. Friday tip off is set for 7pm MT time, while the Saturday rematch takes place at 6pm MT. The Spartans will travel to Abbotsford to take on the UFV Cascades in their regular season finales.

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Photo by: MPP Photography