Lethbridge – While they were able to finally hit the win column on the road last weekend, the rollercoaster of the season continued for the Lethbridge Pronghorn men’s basketball team (6-6 CW) last weekend. After losing their third consecutive game last Friday in Kamloops to the TRU WolfPack, the Pronghorns rebounded to earn their first road win of the season, 81-74 over the UBC-O Heat.
 
Returning to the friendly confines of the 1^st Choice Savings this weekend, the ‘Horns host the Trinity Western Spartans (4-8 CW) and the CIS seventh ranked Fraser Valley Cascades (7-5 CW).
                                                                                                                           
Despite the up and down season thus far, the ‘Horns are right in the mix for a playoff spot in the division and trail the Manitoba Bisons by two games for the final spot. The ‘Horns will travel to Winnipeg to face the Bisons next weekend.
 
Through 12 games of the season, the Horns have clearly defined themselves as the run-and-gun team in Canada West, being ranked third in the conference offensively but 15^th defensively. The ‘Horns are averaging 81.7 points per game and have five players averaging double digits in points. Senior post Derek Waldner leads the ‘Horns with 15.9 points per game. He also moved into second in rebounding average after recording his 19^th and 20^th career double-doubles last weekend.
 
While the Spartans sit sixth in the Pacific Division, they have shown an ability to play with the top tier teams in Canada West, earning quality wins over the Victoria Vikes in Victoria and a win over the Prairie Division leading Alberta Golden Bears last weekend. The Spartans are the lone team ranked below the ‘Horns defensively, allowing 84.2 points per game but lead the conference in steals. At the other end of the floor, the Spartans are ranked ninth, scoring 77.4 a night and have the second leading scorer in Canada West in Mark Perrin, who is averaging 21.3 point per game.
 
Saturday night will be the ‘Horns first crack at the Fraser Valley Cascades since their last second heart breaking loss in game three of their first playoff series last year. Arguably the streakiest team in the conference, the Cascades (7-5 CW) closed out the first semester of action riding a five game winning streak but were swept last weekend at home, losing to the Golden Bears and Saskatchewan Huskies.

Holding the eighth ranked offense in the conference, averaging 78.2 points per game, the Cascades rely heavily on Sam Freeman and Kevon Parchment, who account for 50% of the teams scoring. Freeman is third on the conference scoring list averaging 19.7 points per game, while Parchment is right behind him in fourth with 19.3 ppg.
 
Tip-off for both Friday and Saturday night’s game is scheduled to follow the women’s games at 8:00pm at the 1^st Choice Savings Centre and the games will also be webcast on www.canadawest.tv , home for all Canada West webcasts.

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