LETHBRIDGE – Entering a critical weekend series in their quest for a playoff spot, the University of Lethbridge Pronghorns outlasted the MacEwan University Griffins 92-84.

The Pronghorns currently sit at thirteenth in the Canada West standings, with the top twelve teams qualifying for the playoffs, before the teams are reseeded based on RPI.

With the Pronghorns leading 62-49 with 54 seconds remaining in the third quarter, a 5-0 MacEwan Griffins run would put the visitors in a manageable position heading into the fourth quarter.

Motivated by their late third quarter run, MacEwan would embark on a 11-4 run to start the fourth. Paced by five points from Mackenzie Farmer, and three pointers from Mikah Reed and Makenzie Reeve, the Griffins would trim the Pronghorns lead to one, 66-65.

MacEwan would tie the game 74-74 with five minutes to play, setting the stage for a frantic ending. Backed by the boisterous home crowd, the Pronghorns would use a 18-10 run to secure their sixth win of the season.

With the win, Lethbridge improves to 6-11 on the season, while MacEwan falls to 2-15.

The Pronghorns were led by a phenomenal shooting performance from Jessica Haenni. The Lethbridge captain would score 34 points on 13 of 24 shooting, while adding 7 rebounds. Haily Weaver would come just shy of a double-double, recording 13 points and 9 rebounds.

The Griffins were led by a 28-point performance from Mackenzie Farmer, while Mikah Reed and Shannon Majeau would add 18 and 12 points a piece.

The first quarter played out in unusual fashion, with the 'Horns taking double the number of shots than the Griffins. While the 'Horns connected on eight of their 22 field goal attempts, the Griffins would stay in the game thanks to four fouls called on the 'Horns, despite shooting only four of 11 from the field. While the Pronghorns would turn six Griffins turnovers into seven points, MacEwan would score five of their 14 points from the free throw line. Lethbridge rookie Viktoriia Kovalevshka would connect on a buzzer beating three pointer to send the 'Horns into the second quarter with a 18-14 lead.

The second quarter saw the Pronghorns show signs of being able to pull away from the Griffins. Lethbridge would outrebound MacEwan 5-1 on the offensive glass, while earning four trips to the free throw line following zero attempts in the first quarter. The Griffins would turn over the ball seven times as opposed to the Pronghorns' four, but would keep themselves in the game thanks to an exceptional shooting quarter. MacEwan would shoot 7 of 13 from the field, as compared to 7 of 20 from Lethbridge.

Lethbridge would find their offensive rhythm in the third quarter, building a thirteen-point lead, 62-49. The 'Horns would rely on their captain Jessica Haenni, who would score 11 points in the quarter. When it seemed the Pronghorns had control of the game, the Griffins would embark on a 5-0 run in the last 54 seconds of the third quarter to trim their deficit back to single digits. Lethbridge would enter the fourth quarter with a 62-54 lead.

The Griffins would make a push in the fourth quarter, but a resilient finish from the 'Horns would see Lethbridge victorious.