CALGARY – Relying on a balanced attack that saw six players reach double digits in points, the Lethbridge Pronghorns opened a home-and-home series with the Mount Royal Cougars with a 102-93 victory in Calgary.
Setting the pace for the Pronghorns was Scott Mazutinec with 18 points, while Chad Oviatt picked up 16 and both Colton Gibb and Kyle Peterson registered 15 points. Forward Jeff Rodehutskors contributed with a double-double with 11 points and 11 rebounds and Keanu Funa rounded out the Pronghorns in double digits with 10 points.
Nate Petrone had a game high with 20 points fo the Cougars with Adam Pahl close behind with 18.
Lethbridge's Colton Gibb opened the game with a layup after just four seconds of play, followed shortly by a jumper from Oviatt. Mount Royal soon found their momentum and narrowed the gap to just two points. Lethbridge widened their lead again thanks to a series of layups, their signature play for the quarter. However, the Cougars were not going to let the Pronghorns sustain a lead in the opening quarter. A successful free throw from Cougars' Pahl tied the score and Petrone brought his team into the lead with 30 seconds to spare.
Early in the second, a three pointer from Lethbridge's Mazutinec brought the Pronghorns into a narrow lead once more. From there the Pronghorns and Cougars fought back-and-forth for the game's momentum, with the advantage bouncing to either side. Mazutinec finally broke the deadlock with another three pointer, sneaking the 'Horns back in front, leading to a narrow 46-42 lead at the half.
Out of the break, Mount Royal managed to bring the game back level in the early going of the third. However, the Pronghorns managed to stem the tide and with a buzzer-beater layup by Peterson, hold a 76-67 lead following a 30 point third quarter.
The game's momentum slowed to start the fourth with the teams trading free throws, but the lull didn't last for long. Spearheaded by a 19-7 run by the Pronghorns, the lead bulged to as many as 19 points with just over three minutes to play.
Content to trade hoops with the Cougars, the Pronghorns ran Mount Royal out of time and two consecutive baskets by the Cougar, including a buzzer beating lay-up from Petrone made the score look closer than it actually was..
The rematch is slated for Lethbridge on Saturday, January 18th a the 1st Choice Savings Centre and will be broadcasted live on CanadaWest.tv, presented by Co-op.
