Box Score
Lethbridge – The Trinity Western University Spartans women's basketball team came into Lethbridge on Friday evening, and were able to defeat the hometown 'Horns, 86-63, and keep their slim playoff hopes alive.
 
The win moves the Spartans to 7-12 on the season and will need some help on the out of town score board this weekend to reach the post-season. The loss drops the 'Horns to 1-18.
 
Jessie Brown came off the bench to lead the Spartans offensively, scoring 19 points, while Kayla Gordon chipped in with 15 points and Tessa Ratzlaff finished with 13. Zoe Dahl led the 'Horns, scoring 13 and Danielle Fritzke had a solid night off the bench with 12 points.
 
The 'Horns started the game red hot, as Dahl hammered two three-pointers right away, followed by another three-pointer by Elizabeth Buie, leading the Spartans to take a timeout just 2:18 into the game.
 
It didn't help much, as the 'Horns kept at it, with another three-pointer, dropped this time by Danielle Fritzke. A 12-0 game, the Spartans got on the board with 5:44 remaining in the first quarter.
 
They would pile on the points and finish the quarter trailing by only five. The 'Horns had the lead after one, 20-15. All of their points coming from the long ball, with the exception of two free-throws. They went 60.0% from down town in the quarter.
 
The second quarter saw the tables turn, as the Spartans found their game and got the ball to drop more often than in the first. It was an impressive quarter on defense for the Spartans, as they held the 'Horns to just 9 points, while they notched 29 of their own, and took a 44-29 lead to the half.
 
In the first half, the Spartans shot 43.6% from the field, and 41.7% on three-pointers. Brown led the charge with 11 points, and Kayla Gordon and Tessa Ratzlaff each had 9.
 
The 'Horns went 30.3% from the field and 37.5% from the three-point line, and were led by Dahl and Danielle Fritzke, who had 10 and 9 points, respectively.
 
The Spartans didn't let up in the second half, keeping the pressure on the 'Horns. The hometown squad did get some good looks offensively, but it seemed no matter what they did in the Spartans' end of the court, the Spartans could match it. The visitors took a 61-43 lead to the final quarter. Brown continued to lead the Spartans, with 14 points. Dahl maintained her lead of the 'Horns point-getters, with 10.
 
The fourth quarter saw the 'Horns put together a strong effort, and get themselves back into the game. Sparked by a massive block by freshman Katie Keith, they came within 11 points of tying the contest, but the Spartans were just too good over the homestretch, increasing their lead to as much as 23 points.
 
Statistically speaking, the Spartans finished the night with a 47.1% success rate from the field, 39.1% from the three point line, and the edge in rebounds, 45-36. The 'Horns finished 33.9% from the field, and 35.5% on three-pointers.
 
The Spartans and 'Horns will go at it one more time on Saturday at 5:00pm at the 1^st Choice Savings Centre. The game is available on canadawest.tv.