LETHBRIDGE – In search of their fourth consecutive win, the University of Lethbridge Pronghorns were unable to overcome a lethargic start as they dropped a 79-72 decision to the Mount Royal University Cougars.  

Trailing by as many as 13 points, the 'Horns struggled to embark on a sustained run throughout the game. With the score at 64-57, the 'Horns would finally find their rhythm on offense to close the Cougar lead. Baskets by different scorers would see the 'Horns pull within one, 66-65. It was the Cougars however that would show the winners will, responding with a 9-2 run to go back ahead 75-67.  

Friday night's hero Angelo Mbituyimana would try to carry his team back into the game, connecting on a three-pointer followed by an easy two. However, Cougars star Nate Petrone would match Mbituyimana basket for basket to preserve his team's lead as Mount Royal would emerge the victors. 

With the loss, the Pronghorns snap their three-game winning streak and fall to 4-6 on the season. With the win, the Cougars improve to 5-5.   

The 'Horns were led by four players in double digits, including another double-double by Angelo Mbituyimana who posted 14 points and 11 rebounds. Shae Gibb, Chad Oviatt, and Jeff Rodehutskors would chip in 15, 14, and 10 points apiece.   

The Cougars were led by an impressive performance from Nate Petrone who scored 25 points on 9 of 14 shooting.   

The first quarter would see the Cougars capitalize early on the Pronghorns' mistakes, scoring four of their first eight points off Lethbridge turnovers. An 8-4 stretch by the visitors would lead to a Jermaine Small timeout. Out of the timeout, the Cougars would score consecutive baskets to go ahead 12-4, before the 'Horns would respond with a 5-0 run of their own. Mount Royal would go on the quarter's final run, to take a 17-10 lead into the second.   

After a quarter that lacked pace, both teams found their rhythm early in the second. A quick six-point run by Paul Asebiode would be countered by the bench of the Cougars. With Mount Royal finding scoring from their bench, the 'Horns would only see four points from theirs. As the Pronghorn's offense sputtered, the Cougars would take advantage to take a 39-30 lead into the half.  
 
Both teams would trade baskets in the first five minutes of the third quarter, scoring 11 points apiece as the Cougars would retain a nine-point lead, 50-41. Shae Gibb would then connect on a three-ball, before Nate Petrone would respond with an acrobatic three-point play. With the score at 57-48, it was once again Shae Gibb that would knock down the triple to force a Cougar timeout as the 'Horns pulled to within six. The 'Horns would stay vigilant to close the quarter, finding themselves within seven points after three, 60-53. 
 
Despite pulling within one in the fourth quarter, it was ultimately not meant to be as the 'Horns would split the weekend series with the Cougars. 
 
The Pronghorns will take next week off from Canada West action, before returning to the hardwood February 4^th and 5^th in Edmonton against the MacEwan University Griffins. The Cougars will travel up the QE2 next weekend for a series against the University of Alberta Golden Bears.