Pronghorns basketball drops two to the Manitoba Bisons

A slow start proved costly for the University of Lethbridge Pronghorns women’s basketball team.

The Pronghorns headed to Winnipeg to kick off the second half of the Canada West season against the Manitoba Bisons Friday night, falling 87-73 to sit at 10-3 on the season.

The Horns were able to pull close to the Bisons down the stretch, but a quick start by the hosts that put Lethbridge in 31-14 hole early was the difference. The play the rematch today at 5 p.m. local time.

Lethbridge trailed 52-34 at the half and outscored the Bisons 23-17 in the third quarter, but an attempted comeback bid fell short.

“We got off to a rough start,” said Pronghorns assistant coach Dave Waknuk. “We gave up 31 points in the first quarter. They came out shooting the lights out. If we take away that quarter, we win the game by six points, but we got off to such a slow start. We got it down to five points in the third quarter. We chopped it back down where it needed to be, but we just couldn’t finish it off. We’re happy with some of the effort, but the start has to be better.”

Zoe Dahl and Jessica Zarowny each had 14 points for the Pronghorns, while Kacie Bosch had 11.

Danielle Fritzke came off the bench and added 10 points for Lethbridge.

Amy Mazutinec and Dahl each had seven rebounds.

Dahl also had six assists and Katie Keith added three steals.

On the men’s side, the Pronghorns are also 10-3 following a 94-84 loss to Manitoba.

The Horns trailed 55-37 at the half.

The Bisons added to their lead, outscoring the Pronghorns 26-18 in the third quarter.

Lethbridge responded with a big fourth quarter, outscoring Manitoba 29-13, but fell 10 point shy of the comeback.

Saren Westrop had 17 points and Colton Gibb had 16. Kyle Peterson chipped in with 13 points and Zac Overwater and Cameron Fischer each had 10.

Overwater added seven rebounds and Peterson added six steals. Brett Warren had seven assists in the loss.

The teams meet again tonight at 7 local time.