CALGARY – It took three quarters to get going, however the Lethbridge Pronghorns stayed with the process and were able to grind out their first win of the season, 65-56 win over the Mount Royal Cougars in Canada West women's basketball
 
Trailing by six points with 10 minutes to play, the Pronghorns opened the fourth on a 5-0 run to cut the lead to one and continued to push the pace and took a strangle hold on the game with five minutes remaining.
 
The win improves the Pronghorns record to 1-4, while the Cougars drop to 2-3 on the season.
 
Leading the way for the Pronghorns offensively was Jessica Haenni with 21 points, while Haily Weaver chipped in with 13 points. Jordan Blaskins led the Cougars with 11 points.
 
Coming off two weeks without competition, the Pronghorns got off to a sluggish start, finding themselves down by six points with three minutes to play in the opening quarter. Turnovers plagued the Pronghorns offence in the quarter and they were never able to find a rhythm until late in the first.
 
A three from Savannah McMahon and a inside layup from Danielle Nadeau brought the Pronghorns back with in one and held for a final shot of the quarter, however they were unable to capitalize and trailed 11-10 after the opening quarter.
 
Both teams continued to struggle to find their offensive efficiency into the second quarter, keeping the game tight late into the quarter. A pair of Cougar consecutive baskets put the home side up four with less two minutes to play in the half.
 
Similar to the opening quarter, the Pronghorns grinded out possessions late. Free throws by Jessica Zarowny and Jessica Haenni brought the Pronghorns back with in one, 26-25.
 
At the half, the Pronghorns hit a cool 23% in the opening but were aided by three triples and 10 made free throws to keep the game close. The Cougars shot 41% in the half but were only 1-for-6 from behind the arch and only got the free throw line six times in the half, hitting only 50%.
 
Coming out the break, the Pronghorns continued to struggle on the offensive side of the ball early and saw the Cougars build the biggest lead of the game at 10 points, but the Pronghorns stuck with it and cut the lead back to 49-43 with one quarter to play. In the quarter, the Pronghorns hit on 39% from the floor but another five turnovers stymied any momentum they gained
 
 
A Haily Weaver layup gave the Pronghorns their first lead of the game at 52-51 with six minutes to play and they would never look back to pick up their first win of the Canada West season.
 
The Pronghorns and Cougars will square off again tomorrow afternoon at Kenyon Court in Calgary, Tip-off is slated for 4:00pm. Catch all the action on www.canadawest.tv