Box Score
Edmonton - The University of Alberta Golden Bears basketball team shot a stunning 62% from beyond the arc in the second half to turn a one-point half-time lead into an 84-58 win over the University of Lethbridge Pronghorns on Friday night at the Saville Community Sports Centre.
Alberta’s offence had sputtered throughout most of the first half, but simply caught fire in the second; as they blew open a narrow one-point lead into a 30-point lead, before eventually recording the 26-point win. The Golden Bears now improve to 4-1 on the regular season.
The Pronghorns, who were averaging a conference best 98 points per game coming into the contest, drop to 3-2 on the season.
Third-year guard Kenny Otieno continues to be the story for the Golden Bears. Back after a season away, the Lethbridge-born Otieno finished with a game high 15 points, while also collecting six rebounds and four assists. Fourth-year guard Jordan Baker chipped in with 13 points, five boards and six assists.
The ‘Horns were led by guard Chaz Johnson, who finished with 12 points and five assists, while also getting 11 points and eight rebounds from Logan Reiter. Derek Waldner picked up nine points in the loss, and Morgan Duce drained two of Lethbridge’s total three-pointers.
Noble Crowfoot connected on three of four three-point attempts to lead the Alberta aerial assault, while Sahr Saffa connected on two of five, and Lyndon Annetts drained a pair. Baker, Todd Bergen-Henengouwen and Otieno all added treys as well. The Bears hit eight of 13 deep balls in the second half, including four consecutive in the fourth quarter, after hitting just three of 12 in the first half.
The Golden Bears put a total of 11 three-pointers on the board, compared to just three for Lethbridge.
Alberta was also strong on the glass, doubling their efforts under the glass in the second half to finish with 39 rebounds to Lethbridge’s 35. The Pronghorns led the rebound category at half-time however, earning 23 to Alberta’s 19. Coming into the game, the two teams were two of the best in Canada West at cleaning the glass, ranked second (Alberta) and third respectively (Lethbridge).
Alberta used an 11-0 run in the opening quarter to get their first meaningful lead, as the Horns had the hot start. That Golden Bears run, however, put the home side up 18-11 after 10 minutes of play.
The second quarter was a completely different story, as Lethbridge outscored Alberta 22-16, but still trailed 34-33 at half-time. Johnson was the ‘Horns scoring leader after 20 minutes, earning all 12 of his points in the first half, while Waldner added seven.
But, just as Lethbridge used the second quarter to claw back into the game, Alberta used the third to take complete control. They torched the Pronghorns’ mesh for 29 points, including a trio of three-pointers.
With a 20-point lead, 63-43, heading into the fourth quarter, the Golden Bears continued to press, hitting four straight treys to balloon their lead to 30 at one point in the fourth, and eventually topping out with a 84-58 victory.
The two teams, combining for 36 fouls on the night, and will clash again on Saturday night at the Saville Community Sports Centre. Tip-off is 8:00 p.m.
