LETHBRIDGE – Following a convincing drubbing of the visitors Friday night, the University of Lethbridge Pronghorns once again out powered the MacEwan University Griffins 87-50 to secure a weekend sweep.
The 'Horns led from bell-to-bell, controlling the game from tip off despite only scoring 12 points in the third quarter.
With the victory, the Pronghorns secure their first series sweep of the season, improving to 3-5 heading into the semester break. With the loss, the Griffins drop to 0-6.
The 'Horns were led by third-year Brampton native De'Andrae Pierre who scored 28 points, while adding 4 rebounds and 4 assists. Jeff Rodehutskors recorded a double-double, chipping in 15 points on an efficient 7 of 11 shooting, while adding 11 rebounds.
The Griffins were led by Colton Halbersma who scored 15 points, while Matthew Osunde scored 12.
The first quarter would see the 'Horns establish captain Jeff Rodehutskors early, with the third-year scoring the Pronghorns' first eight points. With the Griffins responding on offense and the score 8-7 for the 'Horns, Pierre would knock down consecutive triples to force a Griffins timeout with the visitors trailing 14-7. Pierre and Shae Gibb would convert on back-to-back three balls out of the timeout to push the Pronghorn lead to 20-7. It would be all 'Horns to finish the quarter, with the home side heading into the second frame up 31-10.
The 'Horns would dig in on the defensive side to start the quarter, holding the Griffins without a point until the 5:20 mark of the quarter. The home side would entertain on the offensive side of the ball, with two notable highlight reel plays in the quarter. First, an isolation play by Shae Gibb would see Gibb shoot a midrange jumper that would go off the hands of a Griffins defender, and into the hoop. Next, Avery Hutcheson would steal the ball from a Griffins guard, and run the floor for a thunderous two-handed finish with a MacEwan defender on his back. The 'Horns would finish strong to enter halftime up 52-23.
The Pronghorns would come out of halftime with rust, failing to score a bucket in the opening four minutes of the quarter, although the Griffins would only muster four points themselves. The 'Horns would end the drought at the 5:22 mark with Shae Gibb threading a pass into the paint for an easy Alex Hillman two. Up 54-31 with two minutes the play, the 'Horns would embark on a 10-0 run to close the quarter thanks to Junior Mercy and De'Andrae Pierre.
The 'Horns rebounded from their third quarter slump, putting up 23 points in the fourth to secure a 37-point victory.
Both teams will head into the holiday break, with the Pronghorns set to return to conference play at home January 21-22 against the Mount Royal University Cougars. The Griffins will return to the hardwood January 14-15 against the Alberta Pandas.
