Brandon, Man. – The visiting Lethbridge Pronghorns out executed the Bobcats down the stretch and prevailed 97-84 on Saturday night.
Chad Oviatt and Colton Gibb both scored 20 points apiece for Lethbridge, while Keanu Funa added 13 points off the bench for the Pronghorns, who split the Canada West weekend series.
"I think we wanted more than a split," said Oviatt. "We came out swinging and just needed some energy going into the rest of the season."
BU started strong and led 12-5 early before Lethbridge answered with a 12-2 run. Elisha Ampofo hit a tough shot at the buzzer to give the Bobcats a 25-23 lead after the first quarter.
The Bobcats had an 11-0 run in the second, which was built from beyond the arc. Captain Jaleel Webb, Shun Williams and Dominique Dennis all hit three pointers during that stretch as the Bobcats led by 12. The Pronghorns chipped away late with a 5-0 run and it was 48-41 for BU at the break.
The third was the highest scoring of the four quarters with the teams combining for 54 points. Lethbridge tied it 52-52 thanks to an 11-4 run. Heading into the fourth, it was 73-70 Brandon.
The Pronghorns pushed the pace early with a 9-0 run. Funa had back-to-back layups and Scott Mazutinec knocked in a deep three as Lethbridge pulled ahead 79-75. Ampofo answered with a three pointer with just under five minutes left to put Brandon back in front 83-82. Lethbridge replied with an 8-2 run highlighted by a key layup in the paint by Oviatt. Oviatt drew contact on the play and made the ensuing free throw as the Pronghorns pulled ahead 89-85 with two minutes remaining.
The closing minutes saw the Bobcats fail to score and turnovers in the final moments allowed the Pronghorns to pad their lead.
American import Haashim Wallace scored a game-high 21 points in a losing cause for the Bobcats, while Anthony Tsegakele had his second straight double-double with 12 points and 17 boards for BU.
The Bobcats and Pronghorns both have 1-3 records going into action this coming weekend. Brandon hits the road to take on the Calgary Dinos, while Lethbridge hosts the Manitoba Bisons.
