Lethbridge – While struggling to find their offensive rhythm for the majority of the night, the Lethbridge Pronghorn men's basketball team dropped a closely contested game, 64-58 to the Winnipeg Wesmen during their 2014-15 Canada West home opener.
The loss drops the 'Horns to 2-1 on the season, while the Wesmen earned their first win of the season and improve to 1-2.
With a strong second half, California native Brent Watkins led the 'Horns with 18 points and nine rebounds and Brandon Brine was the only other Pronghorn to hit double digits and chipped in with 17 points.
For the Wesmen Jelane Price came off the bench to lead all scorers with 20 points, while Christopher Baxter, also came off the bench to hit for 13 points.
A free flowing opening quarter with only one foul called led to the Wesmen holding a 15-11 advantage at the break. Despite the quick pace the 'Horns struggled from the field, hitting on only 3 of 15 shots, while the Wesmen were slightly better shooting 31.5% from the floor.
Early in the second quarter, it looked like the Wesmen were going to run away with it, opening the quarter on a 14-2 run and pushing the lead to 13 points. Jelane Price had the hot hand for the Wesmen, hitting two threes in the quarter and having 10 points at the break.
For the 'Horns they were slightly better from the floor in the second, hitting for just over 31%, and chipped away at the Wesmen double digit lead. During the quarter, the 'Horns were able to cut the lead back to only eight at the half to keep the game within reach.
Coming out of the break, 'Horns post Brent Watkins took control in the paint, scoring four early buckets to bring the 'Horns back within one possession.
Freshmen Mike Pierzchala's jumper with 4:50 remaining in the third quarter brought the 'Horns all the way back, taking a one point lead, their first since early in the first quarter, but that lead was short lived. On the very next possession, Price completed the old fashioned three point play to regain the Wesmen lead.
Back and forth the two teams went for the remainder of the quarter but a Zack Overwater fadeaway at the buzzer cut the 'Horns deficit to only four points with one quarter to play.
With the game on the line, the Pronghorns kept the game within striking distance the entire quarter but just could not get over the hump. Every time the 'Horns cut the score within a possession or two, the Wesmen had an answer for a Pronghorn basket.
Following a tie-up off a 'Horns miss with 13 seconds remaining, the possession arrow gave the 'Horns another chance down four points. Off the inbounds play, Robbie Olsen's three found nothing but iron and the 'Horns had to foul. Christopher Baxter hit both free throws to seal the Wesmen's first win of the season.
Game two of the weekend set between the 'Horns and Wesmen goes tomorrow night at 7:00pm at the 1st Choice Savings Centre. The game can also be viewed on http://canadawest.tv, home to all Canada West webcasts.