Box Score

Lethbridge – It wasn't a pretty win, but the Lethbridge Pronghorn men's basketball team opened the home portion of the 2013-14 season with an important early season victory, 74-69 over the visiting Manitoba Bisons.
 
Junior college transfer Brent Watkins continues to impress in his first year with the 'Horns, recording his second consecutive double-double with 18 points and 12 rebounds, which led his team in both categories. Senior guard Logan Reiter chipped in with 15 points, while Lethbridge College transfer Jared Baker hit for 11 points. Yigit Ozsayiner matched Watkins' 18 points to lead the Bisons and Andre Arruda and Justus Alleyn had 16 and 11 points respectively in the loss.
 
In their 2013-14 home opener, the 'Horns burst out of the gates, building an early double digit lead and rode that lead for the entire quarter, running it up to 13 points on three different occasions.
 
Trailing 22-11 after the first quarter, whatever Bison head coach Kriby Scheep said during the short break seemed to work. A 14-3 run by the Bisons in the second cut the 'Horns lead back to a one possession game, but that would be as close as they would get in the half. A Robbie Olsen jumper late, gave the 'Horns an 11 point lead, 40-29 at the half.
 
Again the Bisons showed some resiliency in the second half, continually chipping away at the 'Horns lead, cutting the lead to a single possession game numerous times and finally earning their first lead of the game in the fourth.
 
After seeing their lead for nearly the entire game turn into a six point deficit with just over three minutes remaining it was the 'Horns turn to dig down and mount a comeback. Following a 7-0 run to regain the lead, senior guard Morgan Duce took the ball hard to the hoop with 12 seconds remaining and his layup put the 'Horns up three and all but sealed the victory.
 
Australian Brandon Brine hit two free throws, after the Bisons were forced to foul, to salt the game away.
 
With the win the 'Horns improve to 2-1 on the season, while the Bisons fall to 1-2.
 
The weekend series between the 'Horns and Bisons will conclude tomorrow night, with tip-off set for 7:00pm at the 1^st Choice Savings Centre and the game will also be streamed on http://canadawest.tv