Cougars basketball update
Both Cougar teams split series with Pronghorns
Both Cougars basketball teams played this past weekend on the road in Lethbridge and both teams ended up splitting both sets of games. Both teams are competing hard for a playoff spot and every win is critical at this point in the season.
The Cougar women stepped onto the court and started burying threes as the Cougars drained eight in the first half. They were led by Faith Reid, who dropped 24 points and Michaela Kleisinger who chipped in with 14, 6, and 6. In the second half, Lethbridge attempted to mount a comeback, but were thwarted by the Cougars, who dug in defensively and forced 16 Pronghorn turnovers. Asnate Fomina tried to will the comeback with five three-pointers and a team high 21 points, but an ugly fourth quarter helped the Cougars secure the win 78-70.
In the second game it seemed as though the Cougars used up all their good shooting will in the previous game, as they shot 3 of 13 in the first quarter along with 6 missed free throws. Kacie Bosch was dominating for the Pronghorns as she scored a team high 22 points with 14 rebounds. For the Cougars, Macaela Crone led the way with 21 points. Unfortunately, Crone was the only efficient scorer of the night as the rest of her teammates shot 40 per cent or below. Avery Pearce was out for this one, which was a key loss as she had 12 points and 7 assists in the Cougar win. The Cougars were close and made a run down the stretch, had the lead with three minutes to go, but the Pronghorns were just a bit better as they hit their free throws and won 66-73. The women sit in the last playoff spot for Can West and will welcome winless Brandon on Friday.
On the men’s side, they opened up the game on a roll but struggled from then on as they were down by 18 points at the half. Carter Millar showed up for the men with team highs in points and rebounds at 28 and 7 respectively. On the other side, the Cougars had no answer for Colton Gibb as he dropped 34 points on 13-19 shooting, had 12 rebounds, 6 assists, a block, and a steal as he dominated the game. The Pronghorns cruised to victory 92-110.
In the second game the men responded, Carter Millar again had a great game with 24, 8, and 5 and was helped out by fellow starter Ben Hillis and Brayden Kuski off the bench with 18 a piece. The Cougars smothered Gibb, but Kyle Peterson led the team with 26, 5, and 5 as the game went down to the wire. Millar had 6 points in the clutch to steal the win away and coming home 99-94. The men sit in eighth place in Can West at 5-7 and also will see a 1 win Brandon team on Friday.
