Box Score Lethbridge – The Manitoba Bisons were able to come out of the weekend series with the Lethbridge Pronghorns with a split, and their first win of the season, downing the 'Horns 76-65.
Nicole Konieczny of the Bisons got herself a double-double, finishing the night with 25 points and 13 rebounds, and her teammate Montana Kinzel dropped 25 points as well. The 'Horns were lead by Zoe Dahl, who potted 15 points, while Katie Keith contributed 14 points and six rebounds.
The 'Horns came out to play right from the get go, putting up five points before the Bisons could put one home. The 'Horns would keep their foot on the gas, and finish off the first quarter with a 20-17 lead. Mariah Miller and Lily Moradela led the way for the 'Horns, scoring five points each. The Bisons' Montana Kinzel got four points of her own, to lead her team in the quarter.
The second quarter was owned by the Bisons, as they held the 'Horns to just 10 points, while dropping 22 of their own to take a 39-30 lead into the half. Kinzel continued to lead the Bisons, and finished the half with 17 points. Mariah Miller and Dahl lead the 'Horns the first half, with eight and seven points, respectively.
At the half, the Bisons had the edge in shooting percentage, going 27.5% from the field and 33.3% from the three-point line. The 'Horns shot 25.0% from the field and 20.0% from behind the arch. They did outshoot the Bisons in terms of free throws, 76.5% to the Bisons' 68.8%, and also held the advantage in total rebounds, 26-23.
The Bisons carried that momentum to the other side of the half, as they racked up the points, and at the final buzzer of the third quarter, they were looking at a 16-point lead, 57-41. Kinzel kept up her red hot night, adding six more points in the quarter for 23 total, and had some help from Jenilyn Monton, who potted 15 points with the fourth quarter left to play.
The 'Horns clawed back into the game in the fourth, but the Bisons were just too much for them to handle this game. Montana Kinzel led the Bisons with 25 points, and Jenilyn Monton with 24, along with a double-double from Nicole Konieczny (25 points, 13 rebounds). The Horn's fourth quarter push was lead by Zoe Dahl, who finished the night with 15 points, and Katie Keith, who finished with 14.
The 'Horns shot more efficiently than the Bisons with a 32.8% success rate from the field, to the Bisons' 29.5%. The difference was the three point line, as the Bisons shot at a rate of 35.5% to the 'Horns 25.0%. Rebounds were almost dead even, at 52-51 in the 'Horns favour.
The Bisons will return home next weekend to host the Regina Cougars. The 'Horns will stay home, and welcome the Alberta Pandas to town next weekend.
