Box Score
Edmonton - A scintillating 29-0 first-quarter run launched the University of Alberta Pandas basketball team to a 74-46 victory over the University of Lethbridge Pronghorns at the Saville Community Sports Centre Friday night in Edmonton.

Second-year guard Renee Byrne, who played with Canada’s junior development team this past summer, and third-year forward Saskia Van Ginhoven led all Alberta scorers with 12 points in a game that featured contributions from every player dressed for the game. The win draws Alberta, now with a record of 3-2, even with Pronghorns in the Prairie division of Canada West.

Third-year Pronghorn guard Ali Cameron had a game-high 21 points, and five steals to lead Lethbridge, in the loss, while Stephanie Inman had 10 points.

The first quarter was truly the story of the game, as the Pronghorns managed only 10 field-goal attempts and were nearly shut out in the frame if it were not for a merciful bucket with 32 seconds remaining in the quarter. On the offensive side of the ball, Alberta balanced suffocating defense with impressive shooting efficiency, going 11 for 17 from the field. The Pandas benefitted from Byrne’s sizzling shooting, as the guard went four for five from three-point range to pour all 12 of her points in the first quarter.

Despite staying neck and neck with the Pandas for the remainder of the game, a 29-point deficit would be too much for the Pronghorns to recover from. Although Lethbridge did manage to edge Alberta 44-43 on the scoreboard over the final three quarters, they struggled to maintain control of the ball, committing 17 turnovers to the Pandas nine. A balanced Alberta squad boasted seven players who made steals, including four (Maddie Rogers, Megan Wickstrom, Sally Hillier and Saskia Van Ginhoven) who collected three each. Third-year guard Sally Hillier led all players with six assists.

Alberta and Lethbridge return to Saville tomorrow night for the second half of their two-game series. Tip-off is at 6 p.m.