Lethbridge – After a 5-1 start the Canada West season, the Lethbridge Pronghorn men's basketball team looks to pick off where they left off but face a good test this weekend, visiting the CIS ninth ranked UBC Thunderbirds.
 
The 'Horns and T-Birds hit the hardwood Friday night at 8:00pm and Saturday night at 7:00pm PST and both games will be streamed live on www.canadawest.tv.
 
The 'Horns went into the semester break with the best winning percentage in the Pioneer Division at 0.833% but have played two fewer games than Manitoba and UBC and three game fewer than Calgary. All three lead the division in wins with six.
 
Through the first six conference games of the season, the 'Horns hold the fifth ranked offence (83 ppg) and the seventh ranked defence, allowing 74.5 points against per game. The 'Horns are also ranked fourth in rebounding in Canada West, averaging 42.5 rebounds per game.
 
Offensively, senior Brandon Brine leads the way, averaging 16.3 points per game, while point guard Dejon Burdeaux is averaging 14.7 points and leads the conference in steals, averaging 3.8 per game. Fifth-year guard Rob Olsen rounds out the 'Horns averaging double digits in points per game with 13.2.
 
Perennial Canada West contender UBC Thunderbirds (6-2) have also had a good start to the season and have been ranked in the CIS Top 10 in three of the five weeks thus far, currently ranked ninth.
 
Statistically, the T-Birds are ranked three spots ahead of the 'Horns offensively and are averaging 85.3 points per game but enter the New Year as the 13^th ranked defensive team in Canada West, allowing 78 points against per night. Like the 'Horns, the T-Birds are a solid rebounding team and are ranked one spot ahead and grab just shy of 44 rebounds per game.
 
Jordan Jensen-White leads the way for the T-Birds, averaging 17.1 points per game, which puts him in a tie for ninth on the Canada West scoring list. David Wagner and Conor Morgan are also averaging double digits in points per game with 12.3 and 11.8 respectively.
 
The 'Horns will remain on the road next weekend, traveling to Saskatoon to face the Saskatchewan Huskies, before returning home the following week to host the Manitoba Bisons in their first home games of 2016.
 
 
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