The University of Lethbridge Pronghorns women's basketball team is looking for their first win of the second half, but after losing a pair to a nationally-ranked opponent, head coach Dave Waknuk said his team is on the right path.
The Horns were downed 91-74 by the U SPORTS seventh-ranked Saskatchewan Huskies in Canada West play Saturday night at the 1st Choice Savings Centre for their sixth loss in a row.
The loss drops the Pronghorns to 5-9 on the season, while the Huskies improve to 10-2. But Waknuk said his team's showing against the high-powered Huskies - who were led by Carly Ahlstrom's 36-point outing Saturday - is something to build off of.
"I think it's a better taste in their mouth from this weekend than last weekend (against the Mount Royal Cougars in Calgary)," said Dave Waknuk. "Last weekend, obviously we were disappointed with our effort and our energy. This (weekend) we showed we can play with some of the best and hung with one of the best teams in the league. That's the number one defence in the league and we're scoring well above our average, so there are positives to take. After a while, moral victories are tough, but I think this team still knows their best basketball is ahead and they can get there and they're just going to keep pushing themselves until they get there. For us, we know the outcome we want. The path doesn't change and we don't have to panic. we just have to stick to the process and keep getting better."
On Saturday, however. Ahlstrom proved too much to contain for the Pronghorns.
"Their star player showed why she's a star," said Waknuk. "She was in foul trouble (Friday) night and had 36 points (Saturday) and she worked hard for that 36. She's a special player, she's one of the best in the league and you would see why. I had the pleasure of coaching her on the provincial team, so I've seen that up close. But she has gotten so much better since I've coached her. She's one of the elite players and it's not like we didn't have ideas on trying to stop her, she's just very tough to stop. She's like a sudden force on the court. She just makes so much happen. She was the difference."
The Huskies got off to a quick 24-13 start after the first quarter, but the Horns were able to pull close with 22 points in the second quarter to trail 47-35 at the half.
The visitors won the final two quarters to seal the win for their eighth straight win that moves them into a tie for first in the Canada West with the Regina Cougars, who just happen to be the Pronghorns next opponent Jan. 27-28.
"But overall, we didn't get the result, but I like the way we battled," said Waknuk. "We played that team tough and gave it everything we could. We shot the ball well and moved the ball around and we adjusted from the day before. We came up on the short end of the stick, but in the process part of it, I still like what we're doing and I think it's a good sign for us going forward."
Jessica Haenni led the Horns with 21 points, while Haily Weaver added 19.
Millay Johnson had 14 points.
"I think that was a bright spot," said Waknuk of Johnson. "Millay has been such a big part of our team so for us to see her rewarded on that end really helps us. Haenni and Weaver are going to score. They're talented players and they showed it this weekend against one of the best teams, but we're really happy to see Johnson get going."
The Pronghorns totalled 16 team assists Saturday night, another promising facet noted by Waknuk.
"So we're moving the ball," he said. "There are bright spots there and we had great minutes this weekend from Piper Dobbelsteyn and Abby Graves, our two rookies. Kyra Collier played well and Danielle Nadeau played well. There were a lot of good individual performances. There is tons to build on."
Logan Reider had 17 points for Saskatchewan and Maya Flindall had 13.
While the Horns did their best to contain Ahlstrom, both Haenni and Weaver were honed in on by the Huskies.
"That's the thing that's impressive is they were definitely keyed on," said Waknuk. "(They) have the best defence in the league and everybody knows those two are going to try and score. And not only are they scoring, they're scoring against a very good defence. It says a lot about their talents, fifth-year players and how important they are to our team."
The Pronghorns next test won't get much easier with the Cougars beckoning in Regina in two weeks.
But first is a bye week to rest up.
"I think it gives us a chance to take things down a notch and still train, obviously," said Waknuk. "It gives us a little bit of a break. Mentally, physically and emotionally it's going to be good to have that break."
The Pronghorns shot 41.7 per cent from the field, 41.2 per cent from the three-point line and 81 per cent on free throws.
The Huskies were 50.7 per cent front the field, 48.1 per cent from beyond the arc and 83.3 per cent on free throws.
