LETHBRIDGE – Thanks to an inspiring double-double performance off the bench by third-year guard Angelo Mbituyimana, the University of Lethbridge Pronghorns overcame a slow start to defeat the Mount Royal University Cougars 87-74.  

The story of the game was the phenomenal performance by Angelo Mbituyimana who posted his first career double-double as a Pronghorn. The third-year guard would score 36 points on a pristine 14 of 22 shooting, while adding 14 rebounds. This would include an incredible buzzer-beater from inside his own three-point line to finish the first half. 

Despite Mbituyimana's heroics throughout the game, it was a close contest up until the two-minute mark of the third quarter. With the Cougars up 60-59, the Pronghorns would close the final two minutes with a 10-1 run, bringing a 69-61 lead into the fourth quarter.  

A strong defensive effort in the fourth quarter would see the 'Horns limit the Cougars to 13 points, while outrebounding the visitors by eight in the frame to secure the victory.  

With the win, the Pronghorns improve to 4-5 as they look to jockey for position in the Canada West Central division. The Cougars fall to an identical 4-5 but remain above the Pronghorns thanks to a series sweep of the 'Horns back in November.  

Supporting Mbituyimana was Jeff Rodehutskors who would chip in an efficient 15 points on 6 of 9 shooting, while adding 8 boards. Avery Hutcheson also added 9 points and 9 rebounds. 

The Cougars were led by Dylan Lutes who scored 21 points and added 6 rebounds, while Nick Tancon, Patrick Vandervelden, and Lincoln Anderson would contribute 12, 11, and 10 points apiece.  

The first quarter would see captain Jeff Rodehutskors establish himself early, scoring his team's first four points. From there, the Cougars would begin to find their offensive rhythm in building a 12-7 lead, forcing a Pronghorn timeout. The Cougars would build their lead to 17-11, before Angelo Mbituyimana would lead his team back into the game, scoring eight points in a 10-6 Pronghorn run. The Cougars would take a 23-21 lead into the second quarter.
 
The 'Horns would jump out to a 10-3 run to start the second, with none other than Mbituyimana scoring seven of the ten points. The Cougars would call timeout hoping to slow down the run of Mbituyimana, down 31-26. Mount Royal would counter with a 13-2 run out of the timeout, forcing the Pronghorns into a timeout of their own.
 
With the 'Horns down 42-35 with two minutes to play, Avery Hutcheson would score consecutive baskets to cut the deficit to 42-39. Just as he started the quarter with a bang, Mbituyimana would find a way to end it in an even more impressive fashion. After securing the offensive rebound on the Cougars' last possession of the half, Mbituyimana would take two steps and heave the ball from behind his own three-point line for a buzzer-beater. 

The Cougars would begin the third quarter with a 5-0 run, only to be answered by a 5-0 stretch by the 'Horns. The teams would trade runs up until the two-minute mark of the third quarter setting the stage for the Pronghorns run and a eight point lead after three.

The 'Horns would close out strong in the final ten minutes to extend their win streak to three. 

The teams will run it back tomorrow night to close out the weekend series, with tip-off set for 7:00 pm. Catch the action on www.canadawest.tv, presented by Co-op.