CALGARY – In a game of momentum swings, the Lethbridge Pronghorns couldn't hold off the Mount Royal Cougars, falling 83-78 in Canada West men's basketball action Friday night in Calgary.
 
Down six points heading into the fourth quarter, the Pronghorns battled all the way back to take a 76-75 lead with just over a minute to play but a 4-0 run in 12-seconds by the Cougars swung the tide in their favour and were able to stride to a third victory of the season.
 
De'Andrae Pierre led the way for the Pronghorns with 16 points, while Jeff Rodehutskors chipped in with a double-double with 12 points and 12 rebounds. Torrie Holt had a game high to lead the Cougars with 23 points.
 
The Pronghorns drop to 1-4 on the season and have now lost four consecutive games. The Cougars improve to 3-2 on the season.
 
In a tight defensive opening quarter, the teams traded mini runs and when the dust settled, the Cougars held a 21-19 lead on a last second three-pointer.
 
The Pronghorns hit on 34.8% from the field in the opening quarter but were only 2-for5 from the free point line. The Cougars shot 40% but had three fewer possessions than the Pronghorns thanks to five to three advantage by the Pronghorns on the offensive glass.
 
The pace slowed again to open the second quarter with a Cougars 4-0 run leading to a six point advantage through the first three minutes of play. Not going away easily the Pronghorns started to get some easy looks under the basket. A steal by first-year guard Junior Mercy and a dunk from ACAC transfer Alec Hillman led to the Pronghorn tying the game at 33 with just over a minute to play in the first half.
 
A last second steal and lay-up from Angelo Mbituyimana lifted the Pronghorns to a slim 35-34 lead at the half.
 
The third quarter was a quarter of momentum swings. Riding the momentum from the end of the second quarter, the Pronghorns opened the second half on a 9-2 run to build an early eight point lead, only to see the Cougars claw all the way back to build an eight point lead of their own.
 
On a buzzer beater to end the quarter, the Cougars held a 63-56 lead heading into the fourth.
 
The Pronghorns will look to rebound tomorrow night and attempt to earn the weekend split with the Cougars. Tip-off is slated for 6:00 pm at Kenyon Court, catch all the action on www.canadawest.tv, presented by Co-op.