LETHBRIDGE - On Lethbridge's first sparkling, snowy evening, the University of Lethbridge hosted the Pronghorns against the Mount Royal University Cougars on Indigenous Community Night. The Pronghorns entered the game coming off a weekend sweep in Brandon, where Courtney McKee led the way with 44 points across the weekend's games. With a 3-1 start to the season, the Pronghorns were certainly inspired for tonight's matchup. The Cougars, who also played in the East last weekend, split their games against the University of Winnipeg. In their win, forwards Maddy Hooper and Nora Luca combined for 34 points and 17 rebounds. An incredibly close contest between these two teams ended with MRU edging out Lethbridge 65-59 in their previous meeting, setting the stage for what promised to be a thrilling game.
 
Q1

• The game began with both teams feeling each other out, each trying to establish their rhythm and physicality.
• By the end of the quarter, the Cougars narrowly led after a buzzer-beating 3-pointer from Shooting Guard Hayley Lalor, giving MRU a 14-11 lead at the break.

 
Q2

• The Pronghorns came out strong in the second, with Kyra Collier and Piper Dobbelsteyn each hitting a three-pointer to spark their offense.
• Both teams traded multiple made 3-pointers and the game remained tight throughout.
• MRU held a slim 3-point lead midway through the quarter, with the flow of the game interrupted by both teams committing fouls and turnovers. The Cougars' full-court press was especially effective in forcing mistakes from the Pronghorns.

Q3

• MRU's Janessa Ramsoomair had a strong start to the second half, scoring effectively in the paint and adding defensive pressure, which stymied the Horn's offensive flow.
• The Pronghorns, however, found leadership in Kyra Collier, who led her team with 18 points by the end of the third. Collier also displayed excellent court vision, facilitating Lethbridge's offense with precise ball movement and finding open teammates.

 
Q4

• Lethbridge dominated the boards throughout the game, out-rebounding the Cougars by 10 with just 7 minutes remaining. McKee and Okome accounted for over a third of the team's total rebounds.
• Despite Lethbridge's strong rebounding, the Cougars excelled in creating turnovers, forcing 17 from the Pronghorns, while only committing 8 themselves. Of those, 8 turnovers were a result of MRU's swarming defense and steals.
• With just 90 seconds remaining, Nora Luca hit a clutch 3-pointer to give Mount Royal a 60-58 lead, marking the Cougars' first advantage of the quarter.
• In the final moments, Hayley Lalor buried another critical 3-pointer with 22 seconds left, extending the Cougars' lead to 4 points and effectively sealing the victory.
• The final score finished, MRU Cougars 65, University of Lethbridge Pronghorns 59. It was a hard-fought, back-and-forth battle, but the Cougars ultimately edged out the Pronghorns in a game defined by tight defense, timely shooting, and crucial turnovers.

 
NEXT UP
The Pronghorns will face the Cougars in the rematch tomorrow night at 5  p.m. on home court.