WBB: Huge comback lifts 'Horns to a sweep against UNBC

January 7, 2017

Lethbridge – After falling behind by as many as 21 points in the opening half, the Lethbridge Pronghorns mounted a massive comeback to complete the weekend sweep of the UNBC Timberwolves with a 73-69 victory on Saturday. 

The win vaults the Pronghorns over the Timberwolves and into a tie with the MacEwan Griffins for 11th in Canada West with a 4-8 record. The Timberwolves fall to 3-9.

Pronghorn Jessica Bachynski led all scorers with 17 points and recorded her second consecutive double-double with 10 rebounds. Zoe Dahl followed up her 24 point performance from last night with 11 points and was 4 for 9 from the floor on another solid shooting night.

For the Timberwolves, Stacey Graham came off the bench to lead her team with 14 points, including an impressive 4 for 7 from long range. Maria Mongomo picked up a double-double with a 12 point, 10 rebound night and Vasiliki Louka chipped in with 10 points.

A night after shooting lights out in the opening quarter, the Pronghorns struggled in the opening 10 minutes Saturday night. In the quarter, the ‘Horns were only 3 for 14 (21.4%) and didn’t take care of the ball, turning it over 11 times. Conversely, the Timberwolves shot 47.4% and only turned the ball over two times en route to building a 25-7 lead after the first.

With just under six minutes remaining in the second, the ‘Horns found themselves down 31-10 but Mylanda Miller came off the bench to spark the Pronghorns, scoring all five of her points in a three minute span to start the comeback. The ‘Horns closed the half with a 16-4 to head into the break down, 35-26.

The third quarter solved very little, with the Pronghorns outscoring the Timberwolves 21-20 setting up an exciting fourth quarter.

Riding the momentum they had built in the second and third, the Pronghorns continued to chip away at the lead and with just over two minutes to play, they took their first lead of the game on a Bachynski three pointer.

Madison Landry regained the Timberwolves lead on the very next possession but that would be the last shot UNBC would make. Second-year Pronghorn Teesha Olson put the home side up for good with two free throws and with the visitors missing two consecutive shots, Dahl and Kathyrn Hankins sealed the victory with three late free throws.

On the night, the 'Horns shot a slightly better percentage than the Timberwolves, 35.8% to 29.6% but the difference in the end was the ‘Horns ability to hit from long range, hitting for 11 three pointers to the Timberwolves six.

The ‘Horns will remain at home next weekend, hosting the defending CIS Champion Saskatchewan Huskies. The Timberwolves will look to get back on track at home next weekend, hosting the Mount Royal Cougars.