Lethbridge – After a one-year absence from the Canada West playoffs, the Lethbridge Pronghorn men's basketball team returned to the postseason last year and will look to build on that during the 2016-17 season as they open the conference schedule at home this weekend, hosting the MacEwan Griffins.
 
The 'Horns and Griffins will hit the floor at 1^st Choice Savings Centre, Friday night at 8:00pm and Saturday night at 7:00pm. Both games will be streamed live at www.canadawest.tv, home of all Canada West webcasts.
 
A season ago, the 'Horns had the second ranked offense in all of Canada West, averaging 85.7 points per game but graduated their top two point producers. Brandon Brine, who is playing professional basketball in Spain, finished second in Canada West scoring last season averaging 19 point per game. Starters Rob Olsen, who averaged 14.9 points last season, and Jared Baker will also be big shoes for the Pronghorns to fill this season.
 
While the 'Horns graduated three starters from last season, the cupboard is certainly not bare. Dejon Burdeaux, Mike Pierzchala, Zac Overwater and Josh Sparkes will be counted on to score by committee this season.
 
Additions of Elliot Sentance, DeAngelo Ashley, and Scott Mazutinec will be keys to the 'Horns at both ends of the floor. Sentance, from Leicester, England, has been impressive at the offensive end of the floor during the non-conference games, especially his 39 point night versus the Regina Cougars last week.
 
Ashley joins the 'Horns from Fresno City College and was the Central Valley Conference Defensive Player of the Year last season. Southern Alberta product Scott Mazutinec has shown the ability to compete at the university level.
 
The Griffins went 10-10 last season in the Explorer Division and lost in the Canada West play-in round, two games to one to the Alberta Golden Bears, but were ranked 12^th in the Canada West coaches poll that was released this week.
 
During the 2015-16 season, the Griffins were ranked 10^th offensively, scoring on average 72.7 points per game and finished sixth defensively allowing 73.4 points per game.
 
A veteran-laden team, the Griffins return their three top scorers from a season ago. Denzel James led all Griffin scorers last season with 14.0 points per game and was named a third team Canada West All-Star. Thadius Galvez (13.4 ppg) and Keith Gerdes (9.2 ppg) both return this season.
 
The 'Horns will face the Mount Royal Cougars next weekend in a home-and-home series starting next Thursday in Calgary. The back half of the home-and-home will go Saturday night in Lethbridge.
 
 
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