Lethbridge – Looking to secure a first round bye in the playoffs, the Pronghorns men's basketball team got passed the Trinity Western University Spartans on Friday night, by a score of 99-81.
The win moves the 'Horns to 11-8 and with losses by Regina and Winnipeg, the 'Horns took sole possession of fourth place in the Canada West Pioneer division. The loss drops the Spartans to 1-18 on the season.
Brandon Brine led the 'Horns, with 21 points, while Josh Sparkes came off the bench after starting point guard Dejon Burdeaux went down early in the opening quarter and scored 15 points. Zac Overwater also chipped in with 15 points and Rob Olsen put up 13 points in his second last regular season game.
For the Spartans, Lucas Mannes scored a game high 27 points Vartan Tanielian picked up 13 points in a losing cause.
Neither team created separation off the hop, as the Spartans and 'Horns both seemed content to go shot-for-shot, and accumulate as many points as possible. There were no lengthy runs, as it seemed no matter what team shot the ball, it would drop for them.
The 'Horns would get a scare on the injury front, as Burdeaux went down to the floor, and stayed there for a while, as the 'Horns and their fans held their breath. He would limp off to the dressing room favouring his right ankle. On the bright side, he would re join his teammates on the bench as the second quarter started, his ankle on ice.
The first quarter ended with the 'Horns leading, 23-18. Brandon Brine led the 'Horns with 10 points. His counterpart, Sebastian Eliasen dropped eight.
The second quarter was almost like a broken record, as both teams continued to score points, but also allow them. The high scoring half would come to an end with the hometown team up 50-43 on the Spartans.
Brine and Zac Overwater led the 'Horns with 12 points each, but Rob Olsen was hot on their tails with 11. Mannes, who scored 14, led the Spartans.
The 'Horns shot 58.1% from the field, and 61.5% on the long ball. The Spartans went 45.5% from the field and 40.0% from the three-point line.
Rebounds were even at 16 a piece.
The third quarter is where the 'Horns did some damage, and distanced themselves from the Spartans. Brine finished the quarter with 11 points (21 game-wide), and his team went to the final quarter with a 13-point lead.
The strong second half continued for the 'Horns in the fourth quarter, as they continued to hold the hot hand and the Spartans just couldn't keep up with the barrage the 'Horns threw at them.
The Spartans' youngster Mannes kept up his solid play, scoring 27 points and grabbing 10 rebounds to finish the night with a double-double. His team was no match for the more experienced 'Horns though.
The 'Horns were dominant efficiency wise, going 47.8% from the field, and 42.4% from down town. The Spartans settled for 38.8% from the field, and 35.0% on three-point attempts.
Rebounds were dead even at 40 a piece.
The 'Horns and Spartans go toe to toe again Saturday evening, at 1st Choice Savings Centre, at 7:00pm. The game can be streamed on canadawest.tv.