LETHBRIDGE — The University of Lethbridge Pronghorns women's basketball team is at a pivotal point in its 2025 campaign. With a 4-4 record, the Horns have shown flashes of brilliance but need more consistency if they hope to remain in playoff contention.
The season began with promise. Early victories against the Regina Cougars and the Brandon Bobcats showed fans the team's potential, but a three-game skid against the Mount Royal Cougars and Manitoba Bisons revealed areas for improvement. After breaking the losing streak with a much-needed win over the Bisons, the team regained momentum, but the road ahead remains challenging.
Head Coach Dave Waknuk emphasized that the team must minimize turnovers while finding quality shots as keys to achieving more offensive success. He highlights the importance of controlling the pace of their game to avoid rushed decisions, ensuring smarter play for consistent results.
"We need to take care of the basketball offensively. When turnovers get high, it's hard to win basketball games. In the games where we have success, we take care of the ball, which helps us score easier and find better looks. The games where we turn it over, those are the games we struggle to win. It's a simple equation, but it works. One part is reducing turnovers, and the other is finding the best shots. Sometimes, we play at a very quick pace, but maybe it's too quick to find the best shot. So, we need to focus on taking care of the ball and finding the best shot. It's what every team wants, and I believe we can reach that style of play to be successful," said Waknuk.
As they prepare for back-to-back home games against the University of Alberta on January 10th and 11th—two games against a top-10 team that could shape their postseason hopes—the Pronghorns face a formidable challenge. The Pandas are currently ranked among the top 10 teams in the country. The Pronghorns will rely on their fans and strong performances from team leaders to secure wins and make a playoff push.
Kyra Collier, the 4th-year guard and Lethbridge product, expressed confidence in the team's preparation for Alberta following the break. As the team's leading scorer, she highlighted their focus on refining both their offensive and defensive play, as well as scouting the Pandas.
"We've been pretty prepared. We came back on January 2nd, and throughout our practices since then, we've been prepping for them in some ways, doing screen coverages early on. Now, today, we'll focus mainly on their sets. The first half of the week was about what we do and the things we need to succeed. In the second half, we're focusing on what they do and how we're going to play against them," said Collier.
At the midway point of the season, the Pronghorns are still within reach of a playoff berth, but the margin for error is slim. With games against some of the conference's top teams looming, they will be tested. Every victory counts. The journey resumes this weekend—make sure to get your tickets and cheer the Pronghorns on!
—CY
