LETHBRIDGE - After a dominant showing in their first game of 2020, the University of Lethbridge Pronghorns were unable to capitalize in crunch time as they dropped a 99-94 decision to the University of Regina Cougars.
 
Off the heels of a decisive victory that saw the 'Horns control all four quarters, it was clear from the opening tip that this game would be much more competitive. With action quite even throughout the first three quarters, the teams would enter the final ten minutes with the 'Horns trailing by three, 74-71.
 
The early goings of the fourth quarter would showcase a duel between Kyle Peterson of the 'Horns, and Brayden Kuski of the Cougars. Both players would be the catalyst for their teams on offense and defense leading to a 78-78 tie. Kuski would then go on to hit a three pointer to put his team ahead, before Peterson would respond with a triple of his own at the 6:30 mark of the quarter to tie the game 81-81.
 
The Cougars would then begin to build momentum with a 11-2 run fueled by offense and defense from third-year Regina native Carter Millar. Trailing 92-83 with 3:40 to play, an incredible 7-0 run by the 'Horns in 67 seconds would put the game within reach, 92-90. Digging their heels in defensively, an incredible defensive effort by Colton Gibb would result in a travel call on Regina. On the ensuing possession, the 'Horns would tie the game before another phenomenal defensive stand would result in a 24-second violation by the Cougars. After Regina split a pair of free throws to take a 93-92 lead, the Pronghorns would miss on their next possession, only for Colton Gibb to soar up and put home a rebound to give the 'Horns a 94-93 lead.
 
Out of a Regina timeout with 24.6 seconds to go, the Cougars would give the ball to Carter Millar. The 'Horns would be called for an unsportsmanlike foul on Millar, leading to four free throws for the third-year forward. Converting on all four, Regina would go ahead 97-94. The Pronghorns were unable to score on their ensuing possession, resulting in a weekend split.
 
The Pronghorns drop to 4-8 on the season while the Cougars improve to 5-6.
 
Lethbridge was led by an incredible shooting performance from beyond the arc by Scott Mazutinec. Mazutinec scored 21 points while connecting on 7 of 8 of his three point shots. Kyle Peterson would post a game high 26 points while Chad Oviatt, Keanu Funa, Colton Gibb, and Jeff Rodehutskors would also score in double digits.
 
Regina was led by Carter Millar who scored 24 points and posted 8 rebounds on another efficient shooting performance, this time 8 of 11. Benjamin Hills, Brayden Kuski, and Greishe Clerjuste would be his supporting cast, with 18, 18, and 10 points a piece.
 
The Cougars were ready to play out of the gate on Saturday, playing with much more aggression offensively and defensively. Ahead 7-5, the Cougars would turn up the intensity, using a 7-0 run to go ahead 14-5. Struggling on offense, the Pronghorns would look for a spark. Mazutinec would step up, hitting three 3-pointers in a 90 second span to tie the game 19-19. After trading baskets to a 23-23 score, the Cougars would score on consecutive possessions to take a 27-23 lead into the second quarter.
 
Scott Mazutinec would not cool down to start the second quarter, as his two three pointers in the early moments of the quarter would be the driving force behind the Pronghorns tying the game 34-34. With the Pronghorns gaining momentum, Millar would step up for the road team. Following a 28 point Friday night, Millar would keep his team afloat with consecutive shots before going to the bench with the game tied 38-38. Scott Mazutinec's sixth three of the night would lead a 6-0 Pronghorn run before the Cougars would dig in defensively. A charge call on the 'Horns would fuel a 5-0 Regina run with the home side ultimately taking a 44-43 lead into halftime.
 
Both teams would come out of halftime seemingly rejuvenated. Back-and-forth, the Cougars and 'Horns would trade baskets as the game would become increasingly physical. At the midway point of the quarter, Kyle Peterson would put the Pronghorns ahead 57-56 after converting on two foul shots.  The Cougars would go back ahead 61-57 on consecutive baskets, before Scott Mazutinec would hit his first three pointer of the quarter to trim the deficit to one, 61-60. Action would be pretty steady for the remainder of the quarter, with Regina taking a 74-71 lead into the final quarter.
 
Despite a valiant effort, the Pronghorns were unable to convert when it mattered most, as the visitors would emerge victorious.
 
The Pronghorns will play a home-and-home series next weekend against the University of Calgary Dinos. The 'Horns will play the Dinos in Calgary on Thursday the 9^th, before the Saturday rematch at the 1^st Choice Savings Centre at 7pm MT on the 11^th. The Cougars will return home to play the Brandon Bobcats on Friday the 10^th and Saturday the 11^th.