LETHBRIDGE - Starting the season against a very familiar foe, the University of Lethbridge Pronghorns fell to the University of Alberta Golden Bears in a thrilling back-and-forth Top 10 match-up, 91-86, at the 1st Choice Savings Center.
 
The Bears and Pronghorns are no strangers, having played three consecutive Canada West conference playoff series against one another. The Bears have been responsible for the last three Pronghorns playoff exits, and it was evident that both teams had not forgotten about one another.
 
After an incredible sequence to end the third quarter which saw a Zachary Coleman-Bock dunk, and Geoffrey James of the Bears flying over the head of Kyle Peterson following a missed block, the 'Horns would entered the final quarter with a 69-59 lead.
 
The Golden Bears however would not go away. As to be expected of the team who earned the number one ranking in the Canada West coaches' preseason poll, the Bears rallied in the fourth. Turnovers and lazy rebounding would hamper the Pronghorns, as the Bears' shooters would find their touch, rallying to tie the game 78-78 with two minutes to play. 
 
From there, the 'Horns would score, only to be answered by a Golden Bears three pointer. Zachary Coleman-Bock would then try play the hero for the 'Horns, coming up big in the ensuing three possessions. First, he would tap home a shot that rolled around the rim, following that up with a rebound, and another basket.
 
With Coleman-Bock stepping up to the plate for the 'Horns, the Bears would have an answer in the form of Ivan Ikomey. With the 'Horns up 84-81, Ikomey would hit a three to tie the game, following up with another triple to put the Bears ahead. With the game at 88-84 for the Bears, Brett Warren would draw a foul and hit both shots to give the 'Horns a chance to win the game. Unable to get a stop, the Bears would close the game with a basket and a defensive stand, en route to the win.
 
The 'Horns entered the season with a little extra motivation, finding themselves ranked in the U SPORTS top 10 for the first time since March of 2000. The Golden Bears would find themselves ranked in the fifth spot, while two other Canada West teams - the Calgary Dinos, and Saskatchewan Huskies – would also find themselves in the top 10.
 
The Golden Bears would come out firing on all cylinders, jumping out to a 7-0 run thanks to consecutive field goals and a three pointer. After going on a mission following his rookie season, Stirling native Scott Mazutinec would make an immediate impact in his return, knocking down a three to stop the Bears' run.
 
Following an 11-3 Bears lead to open the game, the 'Horns would begin a furious comeback led by a barrage of three pointers by fourth-year guard Colton Gibb. After tying the game 13-13, the 'Horns would embark on a 7-2 run to close the quarter, capped off by a last second buzzer beater by Mazutinec. The 'Horns would take a 20-15 lead into the second quarter.
 
Lethbridge would start the second quarter with back-to-back buckets courtesy of Chad Oviatt and Jeff Rodehutskors. As expected, the Bears would heat up, using a 7-0 run to go bring the game within two points. After the 'Horns went on a five point run to go ahead 29-22, the Golden Bears would rely on fourth-year Cole Knudsen to will them back into the game thanks to a 12-2 run. With the game at 34-32 for Alberta, the teams would trade baskets to finish the second quarter leading to 45-41 Alberta lead at the half.
 
Just as they did in the second quarter, the Pronghorns would start the third quarter on a run, scoring eight straight. A 6-0 run by the Bears would see them regain the lead, before Brett Warren would knock down his second three pointer of the quarter to put the 'Horns back on top. Consecutive threes from Scott Mazutinec and Warren would see the 'Horns go on top 58-54 with four minutes to play in the quarter.  With the score at 65-59 with 24-seconds to play, a thrilling sequence would mark the end of the quarter. First, Kyle Peterson would make a perfect pass to a streaking Zachary Coleman-Bock for a thunderous jam. He would follow this by stripping the ball from Ivan Ikomey of the Bears on the ensuing inbound, and duck a block attempt from Geoffrey James who would tumble over his head. The 'Horns would take a 69-59 lead into the final quarter.
 
Unable to sustain the pace they had in the first three quarters, the Pronghorns were outworked by the Golden Bears in the fourth quarter, being outscored 32-17.
 
The Pronghorns and Golden Bears will run it back tomorrow night to wrap up the weekend series. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. at the First Choice Savings Center in Lethbridge.