LETHBRIDGE – In the battle amongst the top two teams in the Canada West Central division, the University of Lethbridge Pronghorns were unable to overcome a slow start as they fell 86-74 to the first place University of Alberta Pandas.
 
Trailing 69-55 after being thoroughly outplayed in the first three quarters, the Pronghorns used a raucous home crowd to fuel an 11-2 run to start the fourth quarter.
 
Trailing 71-66, the Lethbridge run would end at the hands of an and-one play by Pandas forward Shae McCusker. Unable to capitalize on the free throw, the 'Horns would have a chance to trim the deficit further but would turn the ball over on their next three possessions. The Pandas would use an 8-2 run to restore a double-digit lead, 79-68. From there, the Pandas would close out the game securing the victory.
 
With the loss, the Pronghorns drop to 10-5 on the season as their ten-game winning streak comes to an end. With the victory, the Pandas improve to 11-2 on the season with their sights set on clinching first place in the Central division in tomorrow's rematch.
 
The Pronghorns were led by 15 points and 4 rebounds from Jessica Haenni, while Amy Mazutinec and Haily Weaver chipped in 13 and 10 points apiece.
 
The Pandas were led by Brianna Fehr's 18 points, while captain Emma Kary and Claire Signatovich added 16 and 15 apiece.
 
After scoring the first basket of the game, the 'Horns found themselves overwhelmed by the pace of the Pandas. A 20-6 run by the Pandas would see the visitors grab six more rebounds than the 'Horns en route to shooting 9 of 16 from the field before head coach Dave Waknuk would call the game's first timeout. Alberta would continue with their relentless pressure on the ball to close out the quarter, leading to seven more shot attempts to take a 31-15 lead into the second quarter.
 
Despite a better job securing the ball in the second quarter by the 'Horns, the home side would be unable to chip away at the visitors' lead thanks to phenomenal shooting by the Pandas. Alberta would shoot 56% from the field from the quarter, connecting on 9 of their 16 field goal attempts. The Pronghorns would also shoot the ball at an exceptional clip, improving from 33% from the field in the first to 50% in the second quarter. The Pandas would have two scorers in double digits at the half, up 53-38.
 
The third quarter would see both teams cool down on the offensive side of the ball – as the defensive play would pick up. The teams would trade hard fouls throughout the quarter, making baskets a premium.  Despite trailing 69-55 after three, the 'Horns would outperform the Pandas statistically in the third quarter – outshooting and outrebounding the visitors. 
 
An inspired comeback would see the 'Horns come within five points, but it was not meant to be as the Pandas handed the 'Horns their first loss since November 6^th.
 
The Pronghorns and Pandas will run it back tomorrow night in the final regular season home game of the season, with tipoff set for 5:00pm. Catch the action on www.canadawest.tv,  presented by Co-op.