LETHBRIDGE – Following a sweep of the Mount Royal University Cougars, the University of Lethbridge Pronghorns outscored the MacEwan Griffins by nineteen points in the second half to take an 80-67 victory in Canada West women's basketball action.
 
Trailing 35-29 at halftime, the Pronghorns returned for the second half a seemingly new team. Lethbridge would do a much better job sharing the ball in the third quarter, doubling their assist total from the first half in frame three. A 22-8 third quarter in favor of the 'Horns would see the home team bring an eight-point lead into the final ten minutes.
 
The Pronghorns would keep their frantic offensive pace to open the fourth, embarking on a 17-6 run to push their lead to 19. The Griffins would counter with a 7-0 run to force a Lethbridge timeout. It was ultimately too little too late as the 'Horns would pick up another victory.
 
With the win, the Pronghorns improve to 3-4 and have now won three in a row, following four straight losses to start their season. With the loss, the Griffins drop to 1-4 on the season.
 
The Pronghorns were led by fourth-year guard Jessica Haenni, who scored 21 points on an efficient 8 of 14 shooting. Second-year Savannah McMahon and fourth-year Haily Weaver would both add 12 points apiece to pace the home side.
 
The Griffins were led by fourth-year forward Mackenzie Farmer with 20 points, while Noelle Kilbreath added 13 points.
 
The first quarter saw both teams struggle to take care of the ball with 16 turnovers being committed in the quarter. Despite turning the ball over ten times to Lethbridge's six, the Griffins would find themselves leading 18-13 following the first quarter thanks to 50% shooting effort from the field. 
 
The 'Horns would improve their pace of play to start the second quarter, finding open shooters thanks to their set plays. With the score at 26-24 midway through the quarter, the Griffins would slash through the paint for easy twos, with the 'Horns countering with their outside shot. Up by one, 30-29, the Griffins would finish the half strong with a 5-0 run pushing their lead to six heading into halftime.
 
Coming out of halftime, a rejuvenated Pronghorn side would embark on a 11-0 run in the opening five minutes of the quarter to take a 42-35 lead. With the 'Horns limiting the Griffins offensively, the visitors would struggle to keep up with the pace of the Pronghorns offense. Lethbridge would take a 51-43 lead into the fourth quarter, outscoring the Griffins 22 to 8 in the frame.
 
The 'Horns would put together a strong final ten to take the victory.
 
The Pronghorns and Griffins will run it back tomorrow night in their final games of the first semester, with tipoff set for 5:00pm. Catch the action on www.canadawest.tv, presented by Co-op.