‘Horns look to end skid versus division leading Dinos

1/14/2015 3:43:00 PM

Lethbridge – In the midst of a five-game losing streak, the Lethbridge Pronghorn men's basketball team sets their sights on ending that skid but the task won't be easy, hosting the division leading and nation's eighth ranked team in the Calgary Dinos.
 
The 'Horns and Dinos will hit the hardwood at the 1st Choice Savings Centre, Friday night at 8:00pm and conclude the weekend set Saturday night with the tip-off set for 7:00pm. Both games will also be streamed live on http://canadawest.tv.
 
Coming off two tough games to open the 2015 portion of the Canada West schedule, the 'Horns (5-7) are in danger of falling out of the playoff race if they don't turn things around. The 'Horns are currently tied in wins with UBC and Winnipeg for last playoff spot but both schools hold two games in hand on the 'Horns.
 
Despite a rough weekend offensively during their games versus the Thunderbirds, the 'Horns remain 10th in the conference in points per game, averaging 75.8. At the other end of the floor, the 'Horns dropped to 13th in team defence after allowing more than 90 points in both losses to the T-Birds.
 
The 'Horns also hold the dubious distinction of leading the conference in turnovers with 19.8 per game.
 
While he still leads the 'Horns in scoring, fourth-year forward Brandon Brine dropped out of the top 10 in conference scoring and is averaging 15.8 points per contest. Post Brent Watkins sits second on the squad with 12.9 points per game and is ninth in Canada West in rebounding, averaging 8.2 boards a game.
 
For the Dinos, this weekend marks their first conference action of the New Year after having a bye last weekend, but still they lead the division with a 9-2 record and closed out 2014 on a three-game winning streak.
 
With five weeks remaining in the conference schedule, the Dinos lead the division by one game over the Victoria Vikes and Manitoba Bisons. The Vikes hold a game in hand on the Dinos, while the Dinos have the same over the Bisons.
 
Statistically speaking, the Dinos had a solid first semester of action, heading into this weekend the Dinos are ranked fifth offensively with 80.8 points per game and sixth in the defensive end of the floor, allowing just under 74 points per game.
 
Fifth-year guard Jarred Ogungbemi-Jackson had a stellar first half of the season and should be mentioned in the Canada West player of the year conversation. Ogungbemi-Jackson is second in conference scoring with 19.8 points, third in assists per game (5.0) and seventh in rebound with 8.5 boards per game.
 
LJ Hegwood is the other Dino that is averaging double digits in points thus far and is scoring at a 11 points per game clip.
 
The 'Horns will have a bye next week, before traveling to Victoria to face the Vikes. February 6th and 7th will be the 'Horns final home conference games of the season when they host the Saskatchewan Huskies.

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