LETHBRIDGE - In a thrilling, physical, back and forth affair, the University of Lethbridge Pronghorns outlasted the Thompson Rivers University Wolfpack 86-77 in a playoff like atmosphere.
 
After a slow first quarter where Lethbridge trailed 22-11, the Pronghorns used a dominant second quarter to tie the game by the half. A stalemate in the third quarter saw the 'Horns take a 60-58 lead into the final quarter.
 
Three consecutive three pointers by the Wolfpack would prompt an early Pronghorns timeout, as a 60-58 lead had been reversed into a 67-62 deficit. On the ensuing possession, the Pronghorns drew up a play for fourth-year guard Colton Gibb. Gibb would connect on an ever important three pointer to pull the 'Horns back within two, 67-65. Following a TRU basket, Chad Oviatt would receive a pass in the low post and finish with a two hand slam, energizing the home crowd. Oviatt would then score on the ensuing Pronghorns possession to put the 'Horns within one, 70-69.
 
With three minutes to play, Kyle Peterson hit a big three pointer in transition, following three consecutive misses by the Wolfpack from downtown. After a Pronghorn foul led to a tie game, 72-72, the Wolfpack would exploit a mismatch in the paint, feeding the ball to fifth-year forward Joe Davis to go ahead by two. The Pronghorns would remain composed and focused, as Keanu Funa and Colton Gibb would respond on the next two Lethbridge possessions to put the home side back up 76-74 with 90 seconds to play. Following a Pronghorn foul that saw TRU split their free throws, the Wolfpack would be called on a foul of their own. Chad Oviatt would hit the first, before a miss on the second saw Keanu Funa sky up for the offensive rebound, drawing another foul. Funa would hit both to put the 'Honrs up four, 79-75 with a minute to play. Lethbridge would close the game, taking one more step towards clinching a home playoff date next Friday in a Canada West play in game.
 
With the victory, the Pronghorns extend their winning streak to five games as they improve to 9-10 on the season. The Wolfpack drop to 11-8, although both teams have clinched a spot in the Canada West playoffs.
 
The Pronghorns were led by a dominant performance from Colton Gibb.  Gibb posted 26 points on 9 of 15 shooting, while adding 5 rebounds. Jeff Rodehutskors added 17 points on 7 of 10 shooting, while grabbing 4 rebounds of his own. Kyle Peterson and Chad Oviatt would chip in with 14 and 10 points a piece.
 
Thompson Rivers was led by their big man Joe Davis, who posted a double-double with a 18 point, 11 rebound performance. Anton Billous and Tyus De Vries would score 17 points each, while Brendan Sullivan and Michael Rouault would score 10 and 9 points a piece.
 
Both teams struggled offensively in the first quarter, as a combination of strong defense and cold shooting would lead to few baskets early in the game. The teams would combine for only 12 points in the first 5 minutes of the quarter, with the Wolfpack up 9-3. With offense at a premium for the 'Horns, they would feed the ball to second year center Jeff Rodehutskors. Strong paint play by Rodehutskors would open up the 'Horns offense, as Lethbridge would trim the deficit to 11-9 in the ensuing two minutes of play. Just as it seemed that the 'Horns had found their footing, the Wolfpack responded with consecutive three pointers, leading to a 9-0 run. TRU would take a 22-11 lead into the second quarter.
 
Looking for some life on offense, Scott Mazutinec would connect on a corner three to start the second quarter, thanks to a perfect pass from Kyle Peterson at the top of the key. After a TRU basket, Mazutinec would hit another three on the ensuing possession to trim the Wolfpack lead 24-17. This would spark the Pronghorns offense, as the home side would score on their next three possessions to tie the game 24-24.  The teams would go on to trade baskets, matching two for two, and three for three. With the Wolfpack up 35-34, Jeff Rodehutskors would draw an and-one thanks to a strong one hand finish in the paint. Both teams would finish the quarter strong, with the score tied 40-40 at the half.
 
The third quarter would get off to a blistering start, with the 'Horns finding a new gear on both sides of the ball. Fourth year guard Colton Gibb would lead the charge, scoring 10 of the Pronghorns' 15 points in the first five minutes of the quarter. Trailing 55-48, the Wolfpack would call time out halfway through the quarter. A new TRU team would hit the floor out of the timeout, as a 8-2 run fueled by strong screens and finishes in the paint would cut the deficit to one, 57-56. After the Wolfpack scored a go-ahead basket, a late three pointer by Colton Gibb would put the 'Horns back up 60-58 to enter the fourth quarter.
 
Where they previously struggled to close out games, the 'Horns used a focused and consistent fourth quarter effort to seal the victory.
 
The Pronghorns and Wolfpack will meet again tomorrow night to wrap up the weekend series. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. at the First Choice Savings Center in Lethbridge.