LETHBIRDGE – It has been a long six weeks, but the Lethbridge Pronghorn men's basketball team will return to Canada West action this weekend, hosting the Mount Royal Cougars for two games at the 1^st Choice Savings Centre.
 
The Pronghorns and Cougars will hit the hardwood Friday night at 8:00 pm and Saturday night at 7:00 pm. Both games will be streamed live on www.canadawest.tv.
 
Proof of vaccination with government issued ID is required to attend Pronghorn home games. Following the provincial health guidelines, games will be restricted to 50% of capacity, food and drink service will not be provided or allowed in the venue. Masking is mandatory at all times while on University of Lethbridge campus.
 
 
Pronghorn Athletics will also host the annual Bell Let's Talk night Friday in support of mental health, while Pronghorn Athletics is also thrilled to honour the 2021 Pronghorn Hall of Fame inductees at half time of the men's game Saturday. For information on the 2021 inductee class - https://gohorns.ca/news/2021/12/16/mens-basketball-pronghorn-hall-of-fame-welcomes-three-new-inductees.aspx
 
A look at the teams
 
The Pronghorns (3-5) return to action looking to build off a successful final weekend of 2021 which saw the team put an end to a five game losing streak with two convincing wins over the MacEwan Griffins. This weekend's match-up will also see the Pronghorns attempt to exact some revenge on two early losses to Mount Royal in Calgary.
 
Through the first half of the Canada West season, the Pronghorns sit eighth in the conference defensively, allowing 74.8 points per game. Offensively, the Pronghorns sit ranked 10^th scoring 78.8 points per game but eclipsed 100 points for the first time December 3^rd versus the Griffins.
 
Guard De'Andrae Pierre leads the Pronghorn attack with 13.9 points per game, while Moreau Darlington, Jeff Rodehutskors and Andelo Mbituyimana are all averaging double digits as well. Darlington sits at 11.5 points per game, while Rodehutskors is averaging 10.6 points and Mbituyimana comes off the bench to score just over 10 points a night.
 
Forward Chad Oviatt is among the conference leaders in rebound thus far, sitting fourth with 9.9 boards per game.
 
After having their final weekend of action in the first half rescheduled, the Cougars (4-4) lost both games last weekend to the Calgary Dinos to open the second semester. Through four conference weekends, the Cougars have either swept their opponent or been swept themselves.
 
One of the highest scoring teams in Canada West, the Cougars average 82.4 points per game and are ranked fourth in Canada West. At the other end of the floor, the Cougars sit 12^th defensively, allowing 80.6 points against per game.
 
The trio of Nate Petrone, Holt Tomie and Dylan Lutes account for the bulk of the Cougars scoring this season. Petrone leads the way with 19.1 points per game, while Tomie and Lutes average 12.3 and 10.1 points respectively.
 
Up Next
 
The Pronghorns will have a bye again next weekend but will return to action February 4^th and 5^th, traveling to Edmonton to face the MacEwan Griffins.