LETHBRIDGE - Pushing the third-ranked University of Calgary Dinos to the brink of their first loss of the season, the University of Lethbridge Pronghorns ultimately fell short 86-74 in a thrilling matchup.
 
Following a nail-biter in Calgary that saw the Pronghorns nearly hand the Dinos their first loss of the season, the Southern Alberta rivals picked up just where they left off in the rematch.
 
Up by two, 62-60 to start the fourth quarter, the Pronghorns would go straight to a matchup they took advantage of throughout the contest. Feeding the ball to Jeff Rodehutskors, he would get the better of Dino captain and Canada West all-star Brett Layton. Following a Dino bucket, Colton Gibb would put the 'Horns back up by four on a fastbreak, before consecutive baskets by Calgary rookie Noah Wharton to tie the game.
 
With the game tied 66-66, the Dinos would take the lead off a pair of free throws. The Pronghorns next possession would see Layton draw a charge call on Rodehutskors, to the displeasure of the home crowd. Another trip to the free throw line for Calgary would see the visitors take a 69-66 lead, before Ezeoha Santiago would follow up a jumper with a defensive stop, leading to another Dinos bucket.
 
With Calgary gaining momentum Colton Gibb would knock down consecutive three pointers to breathe life back into the home crowd, down 75-72. With four minutes to play, the Dinos would prove to the crowd exactly why they are undefeated, scoring on their ensuing three possessions to take a 81-72 lead. Calgary would close the game out in the final minutes to sweep the weekend series.
 
With the loss, the Pronghorns drop to 4-10 on the season, while the Dinos keep their undefeated streak alive at 12-0.
 
Lethbridge was led by a double-double performance from Jeff Rodehutskors, with 13 points and 10 rebounds, while Kyle Peterson, Colton Gibb, and Scott Mazutinec also chipped in for the home side with 16, 13, and 12 points.
 
Calgary relied on the trio of Ezeoha Santiago (21points, 6r), Mason Foreman (21p, 7r), and Max Eisele .  Santiago and Foreman tied for the game high with 21 points each, while Eisele had a 16 points, three rebound night
 
After a physical battle on Thursday night, the teams showed that there was no love lost between the Southern Alberta rivals. An early 9-3 run by the Dinos would be quickly followed by an 8-0 Pronghorn run. It was a three point shootout in the opening quarter, with both sides relying on the three ball. With the score 11-9 for the 'Horns, Kyle Peterson would knock down a three pointer before Ezeoha Santiago would respond with a triple of his own for the Dinos. The teams would trade baskets to end the quarter, with the 'Horns taking an 18-16 lead into the second quarter.
 
Calgary would jump out to a 13-4 run to start the second quarter thanks to sharp shooting by rookie forward Marcus Foreman and Max Eisele. Up by seven, 29-22, the Pronghorns would embark on a 5-2 run thanks first to a strong play to the basket by Chad Oviatt. The Dinos would hang on to a seven point lead for the majority of the quarter. With possession of the ball with just under 30 seconds to play in the quarter, Kyle Peterson would hit a three pointer with no time left on the shot clock to send the 1st Choice Savings Center into a frenzy. The big shot by Peterson would cut the Dino lead to four, 40-36, at the half.
 
Peterson would start the third quarter just as he left it in the second with a three pointer from way beyond the arc. On the ensuing possession, Peterson would poke the ball free from the Dinos in transition before receiving the ball beyond the arc for another three-pointer. With the 'Horns up 44-40, the Dinos would rely on their physicality, drawing consecutive fouls to earn their points at the charity stripe. Scott Mazutinec would pick up the pace for the 'Horns with a big three pointer, before Jeff Rodehutskors would hit a mid-range jumper to put Lethbridge back up 51-46. With Calgary in a field goal drought, Dinos captain Max Eisele would put his mark on the game. The fifth-year senior would knock down a three pointer, before securing an easy two after fighting hard for the offensive rebound. Calgary would build momentum, with a 5-1 run following Eisele, to take a 56-53 lead. As was to be expected in this game, the teams would trade baskets to finish the quarter, with the Pronghorns ahead 62-60.
 
The Dinos would ultimately prove why they are the defending Canada West champions, outscoring the Pronghorns 26-12 to secure the victory.
 
The Pronghorns will play another home-and-home series next weekend against the Mount Royal Cougars. The 'Horns will play the Cougars in Calgary on Thursday the 16th, before the Saturday rematch at the 1st Choice Savings center at 7pm MT on the 18th. The Dinos will travel east to play the Winnipeg Wesman on Friday the 17th, and Saturday the 18th.