LETHBRIDGE — The Lethbridge Pronghorns men's basketball team is looking to regain the momentum they displayed at the start of the season as they reach the midway point with a 5-3 record in conference play. The Pronghorns have rebounded impressively this season with a 3-1 record on home court so far, a significant improvement after securing only one home victory last season.
The season began with a bang. The Horns started 5-0, showing their potential as an elite squad in the Canada West conference. However, a challenging stretch in late November included a tough loss to Mount Royal, followed by back-to-back defeats on the road against the University of Manitoba. These setbacks have placed the Pronghorns at 5-3, currently sitting fourth in the Canada West Prairie Division. Despite this dip in performance, their strong home record gives the Horns a sense of security.
Looking ahead, the Pronghorns aim to end their three-game losing streak as they host the University of Alberta Golden Bears on Friday, January 10th, and Saturday, January 11th. The Horns look to reestablish their early-season momentum and solidify their standing in the division. Adding to the significance of the weekend, the Pronghorns will honour former player Jared Heidinger, a standout leader and teammate during his time in blue and gold.
A new scholarship, reflecting Jared's qualities of leadership, athletic ability and academic excellence, will be awarded to the Pronghorns men's basketball player who best exemplifies these traits. A special halftime presentation during the men's game on January 11 will pay tribute to Jared's legacy.
Head Coach Kenny Otieno shared his thoughts on what the team needs to do to regain momentum as the season enters its second half.
"I think a lot of what we've done over the break going into Christmas and the last couple of weeks is just trying to regain and build back our identity. It starts with defense—getting better with our ball pressure, getting better with our rotations, those small little things. We tried to start the season leaning on our defense as part of our identity. That's what we want to build back into the second half of the season. Another thing is just our habits—doing the right things, being in the right spots, and all being on the same page. A lot of that comes from communication and positive energy. So, I'd say those two things are probably the most important," said Otieno.
A driving force behind the Pronghorns' success this season has been the stellar play of fifth-year guard Angelo Mbituyimana, who currently ranks fifth in Canada West in points per game. Reflecting on his strong individual performance and the team's aspirations for the season, Mbituyimana shared his secret to success.
"I think the guys have done a really good job pushing me in practice every single day. The offseason training paid off a lot, but in practice, I feel like when you work hard and guys go at me, I try to go at them. It motivates me to try to do better every day," said Mbituyimana.
The Pronghorns' resilience and ability to overcome adversity will be crucial as they strive to solidify their place among the Canada West elite. With a blend of experienced leadership and emerging talent, the team is poised for an exciting second half of the season.
—CY
