Box Score
WINNIPEG – Returning to action following the semester break, the Lethbridge Pronghorn women's basketball team wasn't able to recover from a tough first quarter and dropped their first game back, 87-73 to the Manitoba Bisons.
The Pronghorns surrendered 31 first quarter points and found themselves down 17 points after 10 minutes, a deficit they could not overcome.
"A poor start cost us a tough loss on the road," said Pronghorn head coach Dave Adams. "We allowed the Bisons to dictate the pace in the first."
"We had a strong push back in the second half, we need to carry that over into tomorrow's rematch."
Taylor Randall dominated from the perimeter for the Bisons. She posted 15 points from the arc, and contributed a total of 28 to the effort. The Herd also had a solid game down low as guard Nicole Konieczny's drives to the basket set an aggressive pace early on. Konieczny had a total 16 points and nine rebounds.
Meanwhile, the Pronghorns scoring was led by Zoe Dahl, the team's lone fifth-year veteran, and forward Jessica Zarowny. Dahl and Zarowny each put up 14 points for the visitors.
Before Friday's game, the Bisons were 6-6 in regular season play, while the Pronghorns were 10-2. However, the teams had matching 6-2 records over the last eight games.
To kick-off the game, the Herd closed out the first quarter with a 31-14 lead and an impressive 70 per cent team shooting efficiency.
After being down 52-34 at halftime, the Pronghorns came into the third quarter with renewed energy. They pulled within five points, but couldn't completely pull themselves out of the first half's deficit.
A no-look dish from Randall to forward Claire Harvey swung the momentum back in the Bisons' favour. They were able to go into the fourth quarter with a healthy 12-point lead.
The hosts finished off the game with a 46.1 per cent shooting efficiency to cruise to a comfortable 87-73 win. The Pronghorns finished shooting 43.8% from the field
The Pronghorns will get another crack at the Bisons tomorrow to complete the weekend set. Tip-off is slated for 5:00 p.m. CT. Catch all the action on www.canadawest.tv.
