Box Score Lethbridge – On the strength of exceptional first and third quarters, the Lethbridge Pronghorns raced to a 89-62 win over the visiting Victoria Vikes in game one of two on the weekend.
 
The win moved the 'Horns to 4-1 on the season, while the Vikes now fall to 5-2.
 
"All week we talked about being humble and hungry," said head coach Mike Hansen. "That we needed to find the joy in the game and play for each other."
 
"The dog days of November are hard for students and I was happy to see the guys find their pop again."
 
Brandon Brine led all scorers on the night and was one rebound short of a double-double with 21 points and nine rebounds, while Dejon Burdeaux did pick up a double-double with 18 points and 10 assists. Rob Olsen also chipped in with 15 points.
 
Reiner Theil led the Vikes with 13 points on a efficient 5 for 8 from the floor and Mack Roth picked up 11 points in the loss.
 
Looking to rebound from a loss last Saturday on the road the Pronghorns stormed out of the gates opening a 20-7 lead. When the dust settled after 10 minutes the 'Horns held a 23-14 lead at the first break. The 'Horns shot a scorching 8 for 14 in the quarter, including 2 for 3 from behind the arc. Victoria was 42.8% from the floor in that quarter but had six turnovers.
 
To open the second, the Vikes went on a 9-4 run to cut the game back to a two possession game but a Mike Pierzchala three pointer stopped the bleeding and in the end the second quarter was a saw-off with a 15-15 tie and a 'Horns 38-29 lead at the half.
 
In the half, the 'Horns shot 43.3% and the Vikes were just over 41% but committed 14 turnovers, which was their game average heading into tonight's game.
 
Coming out of the break, Reiner Theil and Joshua Charles hit back-to-back three pointers to bring the Vikes back to within four points and it was looking like it would go down to the wire, but the remainder of the third was all Pronghorns. The 'Horns outscored the Vikes 32-13 rest of the way in the third and held a 70-48 lead with one quarter to play.
 
The pace slowed in the fourth and the 'Horns cruised to their fourth win of the season, 89-62.
 
On the night, the 'Horns were over 46% from the floor and after heating up in the third finished 9 for 19 from behind the arc. The Vikes were 35.8% shooting and committed an uncustomary 23 turnovers.
 
Game two of the weekend set goes tomorrow night at 7:00pm at the 1^st Choice Savings Centre and will be streamed live on www.canadawest.tv.