Defence powers Horns
Defence ultimately generated offence for the University of Lethbridge Pronghorns men’s and women’s basketball teams.
They’re now both 9-2 as a result after the Horn’s women defeated the University of the Fraser Valley Cascades 75-56 and the men followed that up with a 98-87 decision during Canada West action Friday night at the 1st Choice Savings Centre.
“I thought it was a really good team defensive effort,” said Pronghorns women’s assistant coach Dave Waknuk. “I thought we were balanced across the board defensively. It was a five-point game at the half and I thought we really dug in defensively and our defence led to offence, which it has all year, and it really helped us open the gap up in the second half. It was just a really balanced performance. That’s a tough Fraser Valley team. They have a couple fifth-year players that are dynamic. They’re a handful to guard and I thought we did a better job adjusting to them in the second half.
“Offensively, I still think there’s room to grow, we didn’t shoot great, but for tomorrow there’s still room to work on that. But overall, really happy with the performance.”
Solid defence blew open a two-point lead in the men’s game as the Pronghorns went on a 14-2 tear in the fourth quarter to salt the win.
Offensively, Zac Overwater led the Horns with 31 points seven rebounds, two assists and two steals.
“Our defence wasn’t very good early on,” said Pronghorns head coach Mike Hansen.
“But late in the fourth quarter it was a two-point game and we went on a 14-2 run to put it away and that all came about because of the defence. It allowed us to get out and run. I’m proud of the guys for hanging in and grinding it out right now.”
With the game close in the fourth quarter, the Horns responded with Brett Warren, Kyle Peterson and DeJon Burdeaux.
“Those three guys played incredibly well together, got into the gaps, got up and pressured the ball and created a couple of turnovers and steals,” said
Hansen. “That was the difference. You have to win the possession game. We didn’t shoot the ball particularly well tonight, but we turned them over quite often, took care of the glass and that was the difference.”
The Pronghorns go for the sweep tonight at the 1st Choice Savings Centre. Game time is 7 p.m.
“We just have to grind like we did tonight,” said Hansen. “I thought Zac played well and was being aggressive and attacking the rim. It really forced (Cascades coach) to pull out his big guy and go small the whole game and match to us. When you can control the tempo it makes all the difference in the world.”
Burdeaux had 15 points, three rebounds, four assists and six steals and Saren
Westrop and Peterson each had 12 points.
Colton Gibb had 11 points as all the Pronghorns starters topped 10 points. Warren had six steals and 11 assists.
In the women’s game, Kacie Bosch had 19 points, eight rebounds and four steals and Zoe Dahl had 18 points, seven rebounds and four assists. Danielle Fritzke also hit double digits with 10 points.
Kathryn Hankins added 10 points and nine rebounds.
“She gave us a good dose of energy off the bench,” said Waknuk. “I thought she defended really well and played tough.”
The Horns look for the sweep tonight that will send them into the semester break at 10-2.
Game time for the women
is 5 p.m.
“Fraser Valley has some great players and a great coach, so they’ll be better tomorrow, for sure,” said Waknuk. “So we have to also be better. We’ve had a good first semester so far, so we we definitely want to finish with the momentum we have. I think we have to come in and be a little more efficient on offence and keep the energy up defensively for the entire four quarters. We’re looking to do more of the same, just be a bit better and efficient in everything.”
The final 10 athletes named to the 50 Greatest Pronghorns list will be revealed tonight at halftime in the men’s game at approximately 8:45 p.m. to 9 p.m.
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