LETHBRIDGE – For the second time in as many years, the Lethbridge Pronghorn men's basketball team will host a best of three playoff series, hosting one of four Canada West quarter-finals and face the fifth-seed Regina Cougars.
 
The series kicks off Thursday night at 7:00pm at the 1^st Choice Savings Centre with game two tipping Friday night at 7:00pm. Game three, if necessary will be Saturday night at 7:00pm.
 
Thursday night's game is U of L student night with free admission for U of L students with a valid ID card. On Friday night youth 17 and under are free with a donation to the SU Food Bank.
 
All games will be streamed live on www.canadawest.tv.
 
Earlier this season, the Cougars swept the Pronghorns in Regina, beating Lethbridge 79-77 and 92-79.
 
A season ago, the Pronghorns swept the Victoria Vikes two games straight in a play-in series, before losing in three games to eventual Canada West Champion Alberta Golden Bears two games to one.
 
A Look at the Teams:
 
After being seeded fourth in Canada West based on RPI, the Pronghorns (12-8) had a bye last weekend during the single game play-in games.
 
Statistically, the Pronghorns finished the regular season with the second ranked offence in Canada West, averaging 89.8 points per game. The Pronghorns were ranked first in free throws made per game with 18.9 and were also ranked second in team assists (16.8) and steals (12.8).
 
Defensively, the Pronghorns were ranked 16^th in Canada West, allowing 87 points per game.
 
Regina (11-9) finished fifth in Canada West and hosted a play-in game last weekend, where the Cougars handily beat the Thompson Rivers WolfPack 93-68.
 
During the regular season, the Cougars finished ranked sixth offensively, scoring 82.8 points per game and were ranked 12^th defensively allowing 83.8 points per game.
 
The Cougars were also ranked second behind the Pronghorns in free throws made per game with 15.5 per game but sat 17^th in free throw percentage (60.1%). Regina also attempted the third most three-pointers per game at 30.1 but were 16^th in made percentage (30.6%).
 
Key Players:
 
All five starters for the Pronghorns averaged double-digits this season but Dejon Burdeaux and Zac Overwater were the top two scorers.
 
Despite missing six games and only playing sparingly during the final weekend of the season, Burdeaux averaged 19.3 points per game to go along with 6.3 rebounds, 3.3 steals and 2.8 assists.
 
Overwater stepped up his game in Burdeaux's absence, which included setting a new program record for points in a game with 49. On the season he averaged 18.4 points per game while leading the team in rebounding with 7.2 per night.
 
Guard Kyle Peterson was third in team scoring with 14.6 per game.
 
The Cougars also had five players average double digits, but Brian Ofori and Brandon Tull were the top two scorers, averaging 13.7 and 13.6 points per game respectively.
 
Ofori also tied for the team lead in rebounding average with Shawn Latham at 7 boards per game. Latham was third in team scoring this season with 11.9 points per game.
 
Up Next:
 
The winner of the series this weekend will face the winner of the Alberta Golden Bears – UNBC Timberwolves series next weekend in a best of three semi-final.
 
 
 
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