Box Score Lethbridge – The Pronghorns men's basketball season came to an end on Friday night, after the UBC Thunderbirds toppled them by a score of 85-57.
 
Michael Pierzchala was the lone Pronghorn to hit double digits and led the charge, with 15 points.  Philip Jalalpoor led the T-Birds with 13 points.
 
The game started similar to Thursday night's series opener, as the Thunderbirds came out strong, hammering the 'Horns with offense that the visitors just couldn't keep up with.
 
The T-Birds hit 73.7% of their shots from the field in the opening quarter, while the 'Horns could only find success on 25.0%.
 
On the long ball, the 'Horns went 14.3%, while the T-Birds topped that as well, shooting 60.0%.
 
As a result, the score was lopsided to end the first quarter, sitting at 32-9 for the hometown T-Birds. Jalalpoor led his T-Birds with eight points. Jared Baker led the 'Horns, with five.
 
The second quarter was like molasses compared to the first, when it came to UBC's offensive production.
 
They only cashed in nine points all quarter long, but the 'Horns couldn't take advantage and make a dent in the UBC lead, as they only scored 10 of their own.
 
The 'Horns couldn't improve their efficiency from the first quarter, dropping to just 17.9% success from the field, but had a little more luck from downtown, going 18.8%. Brandon Brine joined Baker for the team lead in points scored with 5.
 
The T-Birds couldn't keep up their stellar shooting either, dropping all the way to 54.8% from the field and 27.3% on three-pointers. Will Ondrik caught up to Jalalpoor to tie for the lead in points with eight.
 
Rebounds also went to UBC, 25-18.
 
The third quarter didn't start how the 'Horns wanted, as the T-Birds held them off the scoreboard for 3:47.
 
When they did finally get one to drop, the 'Horns were only able to score 14 points in the quarter, while the T-Birds more than doubled them up, scoring 32, getting back to their first quarter form and increasing their lead to a massive 40 points.
 
They would maintain that lead in the fourth quarter, matching every 'Horns offensive effort with their own successful possessions, and seemed content to throw it into cruise control, taking the win, 85-57.
 
To put it simply, shooting efficiency is what won and lost the game.
 
The T-Birds, who are now off to the Canada West semi-finals, shot 53.6% from the field, and 40.7% from the three-point line.
 
The 'Horns, who will return home to Lethbridge to clean out their lockers, came in well below that, with 30.4% from the field, and 28.0% on three-pointers.
 
Rebounds were also won by the T-Birds, 41-33.
 
The 'Horns can still chalk this season up as a success, as they collected five more wins than the season previous, and earned themselves a playoff spot after missing the dance last year.