Winnipeg- It was not easy but the Winnipeg Wesmen battled in a 63-57 victory over the Lethbridge Pronghorns Friday night in the regular season opener for both teams at the Duckworth Centre in Winnipeg.

Boxscore

Winnipeg trailed 17-12 after the opening quarter but were sparked by a 15-0 run midway thru the second quarter to take a 31-30 lead at the halftime break. Lethbridge cut into the Wesmen lead in the second half but Winnipeg held off the charge for the regular season opening victory.

Stephanie Kleysen led the Wesmen with 16 points, including 14 in the second half and nine rebounds. Yael Kaplan added 14 and fifth year guard Amy Ogidan scored 12 points while grabbing nine rebounds.

Lauren Taal led the Pronghorns with 12 points. Katlyn Olsen and Kim Veldman added 11 apiece. Natalie Nichols hauled in a game high 11 rebounds.

" We had a rocky start but found our groove in the second half and came together as a team", added Wesmen guard Stephanie Kleysen.

Winnipeg (1-0) and Lethbridge (0-1) will wrap up their two game series Saturday night at the Duckworth Centre. Game time is scheduled for 6:00 p.m.