LETHBRIDGE, Alta. – The rust showed early as both teams missed some easy early shots but the University of Lethbridge Pronghorns continued their strong play from the first semester and opened the new year with a solid 90-83 win over their Southern Alberta rivals, the Calgary Dinos.
BOX SCORE
After opening the conference schedule with four consecutive losses, the Horns have played themselves into post-season contention, winning six of their last seven games and move into a three way tie at 6-5. The Dinos are among the teams at 6-5 after the loss today.
Horns Guard Becky Heninger (Medicine Hat, AB, 4th) tormented her former team with her best offensive game of the season, scoring 21 points on a strong 7 of 12 from the field and 7-8 from the charity stripe. Lauren Taal (Lethbridge, AB, 3rd) and Stephanie Price (Calgary, AB, 3rd) each chipped in with 16 points.
For the Dinos,
Tamara Jarrett (Calgary, AB, 1st) led all scorers with 23 points and
Ashley Hill (Airdrie, AB, 4th) chipped in with 21 points in a losing effort.
For the first 30 minutes the game was a closely contested affair with neither team establishing a double digit lead, and had 14 occasions where the score was tied. The Horns held slim 3 and 4 point leads after the first and second quarter respectively.
After a dead even third quarter, the Horns were finally able to create some breathing room with an 8-2 run to open the fourth, and establish a lead of 10 points. While the lead hovered around double-digits for majority of the quarter, The Dinos would not go away without a fight. With just over three minutes remaining, the Dinos went on a 9-2 run to cut the gap to three, but that would be as close as it would get.
The Horns conference leading free throw shooting was again exceptional, hitting on 85%, including 17 of 19 in the second half.
The Horns head out on the road next week, traveling to Brandon to take on the Bobcats Saturday and Sunday afternoon, while the Dinos host the University of Alberta in a key Prairie Division battle next Friday and Saturday.
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