Lethbridge – It is simple for the Pronghorn men’s basketball team (9-9 CW) this weekend, win and they are in. Heading into the final conference games of the season, the ‘Horns host the Regina Cougars (5-12) and with one win the ‘Horns would clinch a post-season berth as they hold the tie-breaker on both the Calgary Dinos and Manitoba Bisons, who are both sitting at 8-12.
 
Tip-off for both nights is scheduled for 8:00pm at the 1^st Choice Savings Centre; the games will also be webcast on www.canadawest.tv, home of all Canada West webcasts.
 
Horns Relying on Home Cooking
Coming off a tough weekend in Brandon last weekend, the ‘Horns are happy to play back in the friendly confines of the 1^st Choice Savings Centre where the team is 7-1 on the season with their lone loss coming versus the CIS fourth ranked Victoria Vikes.
 
Prior to the two losses last weekend, the ‘Horns had won four straight and made steady improvements at the offensive end, but went cold last weekend shooting a frigid 25% in the second half of last Saturday’s loss to Brandon.
 
Entering the final two conference games, the ‘Horns are ranked 6^th offensively averaging 82.7 points and conversely the ‘Horns defensive average is identical to the offensive production, allowing 82.7 points as well and are ranked 9^th in Canada West.
 
Daryl Cooper leads the squad in scoring, averaging 16.5 points a night, while Dominyc Coward has had a stellar second half of the season recording four straight double-doubles and eight in his last 10 games. Coward is averaging 15.4 points and 9.9 rebounds on the season.
 
Cougars look to play spoiler
After being swept by the Alberta Golden Bears last weekend at home, the Regina Cougars were officially eliminated from post-season contention and will look towards next season. With no fifth-year seniors, the Cougars could potentially return their entire roster next season.
 
The defensive end of the floor has been the Achilles heel for the Cougars this season, ranking last in the conference, allowing just over 90 points a night on average. The Cougars have surrendered 100 or more points five times this season, including 116 points in a 29-point loss to the Manitoba Bisons.
 
At the other end of the floor, the Cougars are ranked 11^th scoring 77.5 points on average and are led by Regina native Paul Gareau, who averages 16.3 points per night. Conner Burns is the only other Cougar averaging double digits in points with 11.9.