LETHBRIDGE - Following a disappointing loss in their opening game of 2020, the University of Lethbridge Pronghorns staved off a furious comeback to take a 73-66 victory over the University of Regina Cougars.
 
Having led throughout three quarters in a game which they controlled for 30 minutes, the Pronghorns entered the fourth quarter up 54-45. The 'Horns led by double digits for the majority of the contest, seemingly prepared to salvage a weekend split. However, the Cougars had alternate plans, embarking on a 7-0 run to start the quarter which saw the Pronghorn lead diminished to two, 54-52.
 
The Cougars would take their first lead of the contest with 4:14 to play, thanks to a three-pointer from Faith Reid that would see Regina jump out 57-56. After Fomina would respond for the 'Horns, Macaela Crone would hit a three for the Cougars to restore their lead. Kacie Bosch would find the hoop for the 'Horns, before another Cougar three point response from Madeleine Tell. Pronghorns coach Dave Waknuk would call a timeout with his team down 62-61 with 2:30 to play.
 
Out of the timeout, fifth-year senior Asnate Fomina would take things into her own hand, poking the ball free in transition before recording an easy lay up to put the 'Horns back up 63-62. The teams would once again trade baskets, before a defensive stand would be followed by Bosch drawing a foul to put the 'Horns up by three, 67-64. Regina would miss a game-tying three, allowing the Pronghorns to seal the victory with free throws.
 
With the win, the Pronghorns find themselves back at .500 with a 6-6 record. Regina falls to 4-8 on the season.
 
Lethbridge was led by their captain Kacie Bosch, who posted a double-double with 22 points and 14 rebounds. Three other Pronghorns would record double digits, with Asnate Fomina, Jessica Haenni, and Katie Keith recording 15, 12 and 10 points a piece.
 
Regina was led by third-year Macaela Crone who recorded 21 points and 8 rebounds on the night. Madeleine Tell would add 13 points, while captain Michaela Kleisinger would come up just shy of a double-double with 10 points and 8 rebounds.
 
The Pronghorns started Saturday's match a different team than the one that began Friday's game. With more confidence in their shot, the Pronghorns jumped out to an early 13-6 lead. However, they would begin to find themselves undisciplined, committing fouls on three consecutive Regina possessions. This would fuel a 5-0 Cougar run, before third-year Pronghorn Jessica Haenni would connect with a soft floater to end the run. A Pronghorn foul at the buzzer would give Regina free throws to end the quarter, but the home side would take a 17-12 lead into the second.
 
A three pointer by Regina guard Madeleine Tell opened the second quarter, cutting the Pronghorn lead to two, 17-15. The 'Horns would respond with back-to-back buckets, but the Cougars would stay resilient. Responding with consecutive buckets of their own. Following a 9-1 Lethbridge run which would put them ahead 30-22, the Cougars would hit a big three pointer to halt the Pronghorn momentum. Both teams would score to finish the quarter, with the 'Horns taking a 35-28 lead into halftime.
 
Both teams would start the third quarter slow, alternating buckets. With the 'Horns up 37-32 three minutes in, an impressive 8-2 offensive outburst in two minutes would see the home side take a 45-32 lead midway into the third. Asnate Fomina and Kacie Bosch would lead the way during this run, with the two Pronghorn stars practically trading buckets. With the game seemingly becoming out of reach, third year forward Macaela Crone would lead a rampant Cougar charge that would see the Pronghorn lead diminish to single digits, 54-45, after three quarters of play.
 
Regina would turn up the heat in their fourth quarter comeback bid, but would ultimately come up short.
 
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 9th, before the Saturday rematch at the 1st Choice Savings center at 5pm MT on the 11th. The Cougars will return home to play the Brandon Bobcats on Friday the 10th and Saturday the 11th.