Lethbridge – The Trinity Western Spartans were playing desperate basketball Saturday evening, and it paid off for them in the form of a 78-62 win over the U of L Pronghorns.
The Spartans needed the win to keep their playoff aspirations alive and now wait and see if they can get some help on the out of town scoreboard
Kayla Gordon led the way for her Spartans, dropping 35 points, while Jessie Brown picked up 13 points and Tessa Ratzlaff chipped in with 10.
Freshman Katie Keith put a cap on a solid rookie season and led the 'Horns with a double-double, scoring 14 points and grabbing 10 rebounds. Elizabeth Buie matched Keith's 14 points and Danielle Fritzke added 10 points in the loss.
The first quarter got off to an awfully slow start, seeing the 'Horns and Spartans having only one bucket each 2:45 into the game, and tied at five 4:45 into the opening quarter.
Both teams would find their groove, though, and finish the closely contested quarter, 14-13 in favour of the visiting Spartans.
The second quarter heated up, and saw more scoring. Unlike Friday night's contest, the 'Horns wouldn't let the Spartans out of their crosshairs, and kept up with them offensively.
No runs were had by either team, and the half ended as a one-possession game, with the Spartans up 32-30 on the 'Horns.
Gordon killed it for her Spartans, cashing in 17 points. Natalie Carkner was second to her, with 5. Danielle Fritzke and Zoe Dahl led the 'Horns, with 8 and 7 points, respectively.
The Spartans won the rebound game, 23-17 in the half. They were more efficient with their shot attempts, too, going 46.4% from the field to the 'Horns' 32.3%. The 'Horns topped the three-pointer category, going 33.3% to the Spartans' 20.0%.
The 'Horns didn't go away in the third quarter, either, and actually took a five-point lead halfway through.
The Spartans had a lot on the line, though, and played a tough game, getting themselves back on top, at the end of the third, with the 'Horns still hot on their tails, 54-52.
The Spartans finally got some separation from the 'Horns in the fourth, leading by 11 just over half way through the quarter. They wouldn't look back, and increased their lead to as much as 16.
The 'Horns shot 31.7% from the field, and 25.0% from the arch.
The Spartans scored as much as they missed, going 50.0% from the field, but just 25.0% from the three-point line.
The Spartans dominated on rebounds, collecting 51 to the 'Horns' 32.
With the win, the Spartans did all they could on their end to give themselves a shot at the post-season.
The buzzer sounded, ending both the game and the season for the Pronghorns. Reason for optimism for the 'Horns, as they are an extremely young team, with all players eligible to return next season, and build and grow together as a team.