LETHBRIDGE – The Pronghorns are gearing up for a crucial showdown in the 2024-25 Canada West Women's Basketball Playoffs, as they face the Victoria Vikes in a play-in round matchup on Friday, February 21, at 7 p.m. The winner will advance to Saturday's quarterfinal clash against the top-seeded University of Alberta Pandas at 5 p.m., all set to take place at the Saville Community Sports Centre in Edmonton, AB.

This will be a rematch of last year's play-in round, where the Vikes defeated the Pronghorns 54-43 in a hard-fought contest. However, the Horns enter the 2025 playoffs with more confidence, having bested Victoria twice during the regular season in January and February. The Horns earned victories of 64-58 and 66-60, showcasing their growth and resilience. In fact, the Pronghorns have been performing well this season, finishing with a .500 record of 10-10.

The Pronghorns will look to capitalize on their offensive game, ranking 10th in the league for most points scored, while also needing to tighten their defence to match Victoria's consistency. The Vikes, who finished the regular season with a solid 12-8 record, sit 9th in scoring and 10th in points allowed. The match is expected to be a battle of contrasting styles, with the Horns relying on their dynamic scoring and Victoria focusing on defensive discipline.

Pronghorns head coach Dave Waknuk has been preparing his team for this pivotal matchup, emphasizing the importance of defense and ball control. "Keys for us will be the ability to defend against their size and taking care of the basketball, limiting turnovers. Both of those factors have been key when we've played well this year," Waknuk said.

Looking ahead, the Pronghorns are optimistic about their chances, bolstered by their experience from last year's playoff run. "It feels like we've done a great job all year of rising to the challenge, with some of our best play against the best teams in the league," said Waknuk. With 11 players returning from last year's playoff roster, there is a renewed sense of motivation to step up to the moment. The coach highlighted key contributors such as Kyra Collier, known for her all-around play and the tough interior duo of Tobore Okome and Abby Stonehocker, who will bring steadiness to the Horns' game plan.
 
Should the Pronghorns advance, they will face the #3 seed Alberta Pandas, who enter the postseason with an impressive 18-2 record and 16 consecutive victories. While the Pandas will be a formidable opponent, the Horns have shown they are capable of rising to the occasion when it matters most.
 
With a ticket to the quarterfinals on the line, the Pronghorns are determined to leave it all on the floor in Edmonton. Expect an intense contest with plenty of playoff intensity, as both teams will battle for a spot in the next stage of the Canada West tournament.

Don't miss out – catch the action live on canadawest.tv!