The University of Lethbridge Pronghorns used a strong shooting performance – going 50.7 percent from the field – to down the University of Manitoba Bisons 96-74 at home on Friday night.
The Pronghorns took an early first quarter lead and never let up, utilizing an effective zone defence to stymie the visitors. Lethbridge did a particularly effective job shutting down AJ Basi, who was held to only four points – all of which came in the second half. The home side also won the rebounding battle, where 37 of their 47 boards came while on defence as Manitoba had very few second chance shots.
Lethbridge took a nine point lead heading into the second quarter and an 11 point lead at halftime, however the Bisons were still in the game, cutting the lead down to as much as five at one point. The Pronghorns played lights out at the beginning of the third quarter though, eliminating any opportunity the herd may have had to come back.
After Keith Omoerah had cut the Lethbridge lead down to seven (44-37) just under two minutes into the third quarter, the home side went on fire, swishing five straight shots – four of which were three pointers – to take an insurmountable 21-point lead 58-37.
Eight of those points on the 14-0 run came from guard Brandon Brine, who finished with 27 points on 17-of-34 shooting. Pronghorn’s forward Rob Olsen led all scorers with 30 on the evening, and showed his range going 3-of-5 from beyond the arc. Justus Alleyn was Manitoba’s most productive player, with a team leading 21.
