LETHBRIDGE – In the opening game of the 2021 season under new head coach and CEBL champion, Jermaine Small, the University of Lethbridge Pronghorns used an inspired effort to defeat the University of Calgary Dinos, 78-77.
 
Following a strong first half that would see the 'Horns take a 38-32 lead into halftime, a determined effort in the second half by the Dinos would see the visitors go up by nine, 68-59, with six minutes to play.
 
From then, it was a thrilling six minutes of basketball that saw a new basketball star emerge in southern Alberta. Moreau Darlington, a third-year transfer from Mount Royal University, would score 10 of his 30 points in the final six minutes to push the Pronghorns to a victory. Darlington, backed by a raucous southern Alberta crowd, would make winning play after winning play to fuel the Pronghorn comeback. After drawing an and-one, Darlington would score an easy two, draw another foul, and score another basket to ultimately secure the victory for the 'Horns.
 
Darlington led the 'Horns with 30 points, shooting 8 of 12 from the field, and 10 of 13 from the charity stripe, while Chad Oviatt chipped in 16 points. The Dinos were led by 16 points from Noah Wharton, and 13 from Ezeoha Santiago.
The Pronghorns headed into the new season ranked twelve out of seventeen teams in the preseason coaches poll, while the Dinos earned a fifth place ranking.
 
Despite a low score line, the first quarter was characterized by frantic play from both teams. Pushing the ball up and down the floor in transition, the Dinos and 'Horns showed no signs of rust after being out of conference action for twenty months. Down 14-12 with a minute to play, the home side would make two spectacular plays to close the quarter. Following a three in transition from Moreau Darlington, Junior Mercy would steal the ball in the Dinos frontcourt for an easy two close the quarter.
 
Taking a three-point lead into the second quarter, 17-14, Darlington would introduce himself to the Pronghorns faithful, cashing on back-to-back threes to put the 'Horns up 23-. The Dinos would fight back throughout the quarter, closing the Pronghorn lead to four points, 36-32, with 30 seconds remaining in the quarter. It was once again Junior Mercy who would close out the quarter for the Pronghorns with a fantastic play. Following a strong drive to the basket and a beautiful up and under finish for two, Mercy would draw a charge with four seconds left to send the 'Horns into the half up 38-32.
 
The Dinos would come out energized to start the second half. A 15-5 Calgary run in the opening five minutes of the quarter would see the home side take a 47-43 lead. The Dinos would begin to heat up from beyond the arc, shooting fifty percent, four for eight from three in the third quarter. The Pronghorns would show resiliency throughout the frame, fighting back to finish the quarter down by six, 60-54.
 
A resilient fourth quarter effort would see the 'Horns emerge victorious, securing head coach Jermaine Small's first U SPORTS victory.
 
The Pronghorns and Dinos will run it back tomorrow night, with tip-off set for 7PM at the First Choice Savings Center. Catch all the action on www.canadawest.tv, presented by Co-op.