Lethbridge – The Lethbridge Pronghorn men's basketball team returns to action after a bye last weekend, heading to Victoria to take on the always tough CIS seventh ranked Victoria Vikes.
 
The 'Horns and Vikes will face-off Friday night at 8:00pm PST and Saturday night at 7:00pm PST at the McKinnon Gym in Victoria. Both games will also be webcast on http://canadawest.tv.
 
The 'Horns (6-8) snapped a six-game losing streak last time out but they will be in tough for the final three weekends of conference action. Currently the Pronghorns sit eighth in the Pioneer Division, two games out of the final playoff spot.
 
Sitting at 10-4, the Vikes are tied for second in the Pioneer Division and are only one game back of the Calgary Dinos for top spot, but are just 2-2 in their last four games, splitting both of their last two series with the Winnipeg Wesmen and Dinos.
 
Historically, the Vikes have been one of the stingiest teams in the conference and this season is no exception, ranked second in Canada West defensively allowing 70.4 points per game. At the other end of the floor, the Vikes are only ranked 10^th offensively, scoring at a 76.2 points per game clip.
 
The 'Horns on the other hand are the 13^th ranked defensive team, allowing 80.1 points per game, but in their last action, they held the Calgary Dinos to just 70 points in their win. Offensively, the 'Horns are ranked eighth, averaging 76.9 points per game.
 
Individually, the 'Horns are led by Brandon Brine, who averages 17.8 points per game.  Brine really seemed to find his stride versus the Dinos two weekends ago, scoring 59 points combined in the two games. American post Brent Watkins has had a solid second season with the Pronghorns, averaging 13.5 points and 7.8 rebounds a game.
 
For the Vikes, 6'10" post Chris McLaughlin is one of only three players in the conference to average a double-double this season and leads the Vikes with 18.0 points and 10.1 rebounds a game. American guard Marcus Tibbs sits second with 15.4 points per game.
 
The 'Horns will play their final home games of the conference schedule next weekend, hosting the Saskatchewan Huskies at the 1^st Choice Savings Centre.
 
 
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