POST GAME
The visiting Mount Royal University Cougars controlled the scoreboard for much of the Saturday evening rematch at the University of Lethbridge Gymnasium, in the final weekend of Canada West action before the new year. Another impressive scoring performance for Vlada Hozalova continued to be the difference maker for the Pronghorns. Hozalova contributed 20 points on the night, while Harriette Mackenzie earned 19 for the Cougars. The victory over Mount Royal pushes the Pronghorns' record to 7-3 on the season.

BREAKDOWN

• First quarter finished with the Cougars up on the Pronghorns 26-16, as both teams struggled to maintain possession of the ball through the opening frame of the Saturday night matchup at the University of Lethbridge Gymnasium. The advantage for the Cougars came off six Pronghorn team fouls in the first quarter, sending the Cougars to line where they earned five points from the stripe.
• Mount Royal's fullcourt press worked to disrupt the Pronghorns to start the game, as the Cougars opened the matchup 7-0 on the Horns until Kyra Collier earned the three-point shot to put the Pronghorns on the board.
• Through the second quarter, the Cougars were able to maintain the lead, ending the quarter 38-32, but the Horns weren't making it easy. First-year Pronghorn, Courtney McKee to fuel the Horns in transition, getting hand in the passing lane to create turnovers on the visiting Cougars.
• Lethbridge Pronghorns battled to start the third quarter, bringing the game within one point, inspired by scoring from Vlada Hozalova. Fighting for second chance opportunity in the offensive done proved the Horns weren't going to quit, as they looked to get their sixth consecutive victory. Hozalova took stride in the third quarter, earning a series of points to give the Horns the lead and the quarter finished with the Pronghorns up 50-49.
• In the fourth quarter, the Horns continued to struggle to find a way to contain the bounce on the defensive end, giving up a number of second chance opportunities to Harriette Mackenzie and Nora Luca for the Cougars. Mackenzie made it count for Mount Royal from the free throw line, shooting 77% on 7/8 chances.
• With the Cougars up by six with under four minutes in the game, Dave Waknuk called a timeout for the Pronghorns. With the shot clock counting down, Kyra Collier pulled up from beyond the arc, earning the bucket to put the Horns back within two with less than two minutes remaining.
• Vlada Hozalova pulled up from deep beyond the three-point line with under a minute on the game clock putting the Pronghorns up 70-69, on her 18^th point of the game. With plenty of time left for the Cougars to get back in the game, DeKlerk came up big with a steal for Lethbridge. DeKlerk claimed one of two shots from the free throw line, giving the Cougars the ball back but the Horns lock-down defense was able to hold of the Cougars and the Horns emerged victorious.

NEXT UP
The next Pronghorn matchup takes place on road in Prince George, BC on Friday, January 5, 2024 as the Horns face the University of Northern British Columbia.