LETHBRIDGE –In search of their second consecutive series sweep, the University of Lethbridge Pronghorns overpowered the MacEwan University Griffins 83-66.
In almost a mirror image of Friday night's contest, the 'Horns would use a dominant second half to overcome a half time deficit to defeat the Griffins by double digits.
It was the Amy Mazutinec show in the second half, as the fourth-year forward would put up 24 points, 22 of those in second half. Mazutinec would shoot a remarkable 10 of 11 from the field to lead her team back into the game for the weekend sweep.
With the victory, the 'Horns return to .500 with a 4-4 record in Canada West play as they enter the holiday break. With the loss, the Griffins drop to 1-5 on the season.
The 'Horns were led by the aforementioned Mazutinec, with third-year guard Millay Johnson adding 15 points, and rookie guard Danielle Nadeau contributing 10.
The Griffins were once again led by Mackenzie Farmer who scored 17 points, with Nicole Kilbreath and Mady Chamberlin adding 16 and 12 points, respectively.
The Pronghorns came out to a blazing hot start offensively, with four different scorers finding a bucket early. An 11-2 run would force an early Griffins timeout. MacEwan would respond with a 7-0 run following the timeout, with three different scorers hitting a bucket. The teams would continue to trade baskets to end the quarter, with Lethbridge taking a 19-17 lead into the second frame.
The 'Horns would look disjointed to start the second quarter, with uncharacteristic turnovers providing the Griffins with plenty of offensive opportunity. MacEwan would take their first lead of the game with a basket at the seven-minute mark to go ahead 22-21. The Griffins defence would limit Lethbridge to only two points in the first five minutes of the quarter. Down 28-21, Danielle Nadeau would end the Pronghorn drought with a three pointer, with an immediate answer from Mady Chamberlin of the Griffins. MacEwan would close the quarter strong to take a 39-31 lead into the break.
Despite scoring the first bucket of the third quarter, the 'Horns would once again be overwhelmed by the swarming play of the Griffins on offense and defense. Active hands on defense would stymie the 'Horns offense, while the Griffins would use screening action to free up cutters in the key. Down by twelve, 49-37, the 'Horns would begin to find success thanks to the spark of Amy Mazutinec to embark on a 11-3 run to cut the deficit to four, 52-48. Mazutinec would finish the quarter a perfect 5 for 5 from the field, scoring half of the teams points in the quarter to put Lethbridge up 55-52 after three.
The 'Horns would outscore the Griffins 28-14 in the fourth quarter to record their fourth straight win.
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.
