Paul Cartledge - Golden Bears and Pandas Athletics
EDMONTON – With different players leading the charge in the crucial quarters, the University of Alberta Pandas started their final weekend of the regular season with a 61-48 win over the University of Lethbridge Pronghorns, Saturday afternoon at Saville Community Sports Centre.
Fourth-year forward Elle Hendershot netted a team-high 12 points, going 6-for-6 from the charity stripe, while senior guard Maddie Rogers added 11 points.
Fourth-year guard Zoe Dahl recorded a game-high 15 points for the visitors, all from beyond the arc, while third-year forward Kathryn Hankins put up nine in the loss.
Hendershot was the first Alberta leader in the opening quarter, scoring three straight layups to put the Pandas up 6-0 early. Third-year guard Danielle Fritzke replied quickly with six points of her own (a free throw, a deuce, and a trey), but foul trouble put Hendershot at the line and she made the 'Horns pay by succeeding on all four attempts.
Hailing from Lubbock, Texas, the Arts student was perfect for shooting in the first quarter, her last two points at the charity stripe giving Alberta an 18-10 lead to end the opening 10 minutes.
It was then Megan Tywoniuk's turn to take charge with shooting perfection, the sophomore guard recording seven points in Alberta 14-0 run to begin the second quarter. That offensive outburst helped the Pandas pull away from their opposition, but the Lethbridge three-ball did its best to keep the road team in the game, Dahl, Katie Keith, and Kaitlin Bracko combining for four treys to counteract the struggles inside the paint.
Up by a 40-24 score at halftime, one more Panda took center stage in the third, Rogers scoring three straight baskets for Alberta to improve the lead over 20, essentially solidifying the result as the Pronghorns continued to struggle in the field. The Pandas succeeding on all seven attempts from the free throw line improved the lead even further, leading to a 58-38 lead to start the final frame.
Reducing the killer instinct, the Alberta offence only managed three points in the fourth quarter but Lethbridge couldn't take advantage, only mustering 10 points, though adding six more from long distance.
The 16-3 Pandas and 5-14 Pronghorns will end their regular season on Sunday, game time going at 5:00 p.m. MT.