LETHBRIDGE – Returning from an extended semester break, the Lethbridge Pronghorn women's basketball team hits the floor at the 1^st Choices Savings Centre this weekend hosting the Mount Royal Cougars in a pair of games.
 
The Pronghorns and Cougars will square-off Friday night at 6:00 pm and Saturday night at 5:00 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.
 
In addition to two important games in a shortened Canada West schedule, the Pronghorns women's basketball program will also host their annual 'Shoot for a Cure' night Saturday night. Fund raising for this campaign has been moved on online this year. Donations can be made the Pronghorn women's basketball page at: https://gohorns.ca/ShootfortheCure
 
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 (4-4) headed into the semester break following four consecutive wins, which included a sweep of the Cougars in Calgary in November. The Pronghorns beat the Cougars 65-56 and 74-48.
 
Entering the second half of the conference schedule, the Pronghorns are ranked seventh defensively, allowing 65.9 points against. The team is also ranked 11^th offensively in Canada West scoring 65.5 points per game but have been above that average in each of their last three games.
 
Guard Jessica Haenni leads the Pronghorns in scoring with 13.4 points per game, while Savannah McMahon is also averaging double digits in points with 11 per night.
 
At the other end of the spectrum, the Cougars (2-6) have lost six consecutive games coming into this weekend. The Cougars kicked off the New Year last weekend, losing both games to the Calgary Dinos. The series was rescheduled from the December 3^rd and 4^th.
 
Statistically, the Cougars are ranked 8^th defensively in Canada West, allowing 65.9 points per game but are ranked second last (16^th) offensively scoring on 56.6 points per game.
 
Second-year forward Jenika Martens is the lone Cougar to average double digits in points thus far, scoring 12.5 points per game.
 
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.