WBB: Pronghorns secure spot in quarter-final
March 5, 2022
CALGARY - The University of Lethbridge Pronghorns punched a ticket to CW women's basketball quarter finals on Saturday, after defeating the University of Manitoba Bisons in a nail-biting 80-77.
The first half was in control of the number 12 ranked Bisons, leading the first quarter by just one, and extending the lead to three by the end of the second.
At the helm was Lauren Bartlett, captain of MAN, and second-year guard Autum Agar.
Bartlett was invigorating to watch as she stormed the court in tonight's match-up, showing incredible versatility on the hardwood. She demonstrated a textbook, practiced to perfection, pull-up jumpshot on multiple occasions within the arch. Her mid-range consistency, paired with impressive speed and even a bucket from three leave no questions as to why she was the Bison's leader this season.
Agar tied Bartlett for points on the stats sheet tonight with 15, but her seven rebounds, four steals and two assists put her over the edge and named her player of the game for the Manitoba squad.
"I think just our team in general, we have some pretty mobile posts. So, looking for that inside, outside game is really important for us," said Ager. "I think, luckily for us, we were playing our best basketball here at the end. Looking forward that's continually getting stronger and stronger. It's sad to say but we have two fifth year players leaving us, but we do have a very young team looking to get better."
The Pronghorns started the night with a struggle to finish under the rim, but quickly found their footing and their confidence going into the third quarter of play. Lethbridge closed the small gap between themselves and the Bisons, bringing the game to a 60-point tie going into the final 10 minutes of play.
Jessica Haenni was an unstoppable force driving the court, with 26 points on 56 per cent from the field.
Haenni and Bartlett have a near identical play style, with an aggressive defensive presence, quick feet and solid handles.
Manitoba was unable to contain Haenni's play as she dodged and slid through a line of Bison defenders. This movement named her tonight's player of the game for Lethbridge.
"I think it was just our energy and our unity as a team. We've talked all year about playing as a team, and we pulled through I think by playing good defence," said Haenni. "I think we're really just focusing on playing our best basketball. We've had great games this year and so just have to put together a good forty minutes [tomorrow]."
Alongside Haenni was Amy Mazutinec, a fourth-year forward for the Pronghorns.
Mazutinec had good pace, pressure and persistence in play tonight against the Bison's. Her confidence for on-ball defence and when carrying the ball up on attack were a necessity in this LET win. She was also able to pair her impressive game IQ with strong, accurate passing.
Her play style led her to have 16 points, three steals and eight rebounds.
Tomorrow the Pronghorns will head over to the University of Calgary's Jack Simpson Gym to play in a quarter-final match up against the Trinity Western Spartans. Tune in to the 3:00 p.m. tip-off live on Canada West TV presented by Co-op.
The first half was in control of the number 12 ranked Bisons, leading the first quarter by just one, and extending the lead to three by the end of the second.
At the helm was Lauren Bartlett, captain of MAN, and second-year guard Autum Agar.
Bartlett was invigorating to watch as she stormed the court in tonight's match-up, showing incredible versatility on the hardwood. She demonstrated a textbook, practiced to perfection, pull-up jumpshot on multiple occasions within the arch. Her mid-range consistency, paired with impressive speed and even a bucket from three leave no questions as to why she was the Bison's leader this season.
Agar tied Bartlett for points on the stats sheet tonight with 15, but her seven rebounds, four steals and two assists put her over the edge and named her player of the game for the Manitoba squad.
"I think just our team in general, we have some pretty mobile posts. So, looking for that inside, outside game is really important for us," said Ager. "I think, luckily for us, we were playing our best basketball here at the end. Looking forward that's continually getting stronger and stronger. It's sad to say but we have two fifth year players leaving us, but we do have a very young team looking to get better."
The Pronghorns started the night with a struggle to finish under the rim, but quickly found their footing and their confidence going into the third quarter of play. Lethbridge closed the small gap between themselves and the Bisons, bringing the game to a 60-point tie going into the final 10 minutes of play.
Jessica Haenni was an unstoppable force driving the court, with 26 points on 56 per cent from the field.
Haenni and Bartlett have a near identical play style, with an aggressive defensive presence, quick feet and solid handles.
Manitoba was unable to contain Haenni's play as she dodged and slid through a line of Bison defenders. This movement named her tonight's player of the game for Lethbridge.
"I think it was just our energy and our unity as a team. We've talked all year about playing as a team, and we pulled through I think by playing good defence," said Haenni. "I think we're really just focusing on playing our best basketball. We've had great games this year and so just have to put together a good forty minutes [tomorrow]."
Alongside Haenni was Amy Mazutinec, a fourth-year forward for the Pronghorns.
Mazutinec had good pace, pressure and persistence in play tonight against the Bison's. Her confidence for on-ball defence and when carrying the ball up on attack were a necessity in this LET win. She was also able to pair her impressive game IQ with strong, accurate passing.
Her play style led her to have 16 points, three steals and eight rebounds.
Tomorrow the Pronghorns will head over to the University of Calgary's Jack Simpson Gym to play in a quarter-final match up against the Trinity Western Spartans. Tune in to the 3:00 p.m. tip-off live on Canada West TV presented by Co-op.