Lethbridge – After a long semester break, the Lethbridge Pronghorn women's basketball team (3-7) returns to action this weekend on the road and for the first time in conference action, the 'Horns will visit the Mount Royal Cougars (1-9) and UNBC Timberwolves (4-6).
 
The 'Horns will face the Mount Royal Cougars Thursday night before traveling to Prince George to take on the Timberwolves on Saturday. Both games will tip-off at 6:00pm but Saturday's game will be Pacific Standard Time and will be streamed live on http://canadawest.tv.
 
Thursday night's game will pit the two lowest scoring teams against each other; the 'Horns average 55.5 points per game while Cougars are averaging 56.5 points. Where the 'Horns may hold an advantage in this matchup is at the defensive end of the floor. Entering the semester break the 'Horns were the 10^th ranked defensive team in the conference, allowing 65.8 points. The Cougars are ranked 15^th in team defense, giving up 75.0 points per contest.
 
Kim Veldman had an exception first half of the season and leads the 'Horns offensive charge. She is ranked second in Canada West in both points and rebounds per game, averaging 21.1 points and 11 rebounds. Veldman has recorded five double-doubles in the 10 games so far this season.
 
Ali Cameron is the lone other Pronghorn to average double-digits and is averaging 15 points per game.  Cameron only saw action in four games during the first semester due to injury.
 
The Pronghorns will also welcome a familiar face to the fold for the second semester as former rugby star Kelsey Willoughby, who was with the Canada rugby sevens program in Victoria the past two years, has joined the women's basketball team. A standout with LCI in both rugby and basketball, Willoughby averaged more than 10 points per game her grade 12 season.
 
While Thursday night's game is shaping up as a defensive battle, Saturday's match up with the Timberwolves could be drastically different. Despite being two games under .500, the Timberwolves sport the third best offence in the conference, scoring on average 68.3 points per game, but rank as just the 13^th best defensive team surrendering 71.6 points.
 
The Timberwolves rely on a balanced attack offensively with four players averaging double digits in points through 10 games.  They are led by Mercedes VanKoughnett who averages 14.9 points per game and leads the conference in assists with 6.4 per night.
 
 
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