Scheduled Game: LETHBRIDGE*

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GAME RESULTS 1 2 T Lethbridge Pronghorns 32 29 61 TWU Spartans 36 37 73 « FINAL

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Game Recap

Men's Basketball (Conference game)
Saturday, November 15, 2003
TWU Spartans (73) vs. the University of Lethbridge Pronghorns (61)

Spartans Split Weekend

Langley, British Columbia - Tonight the Spartan men's basketball team put on their hard hats and got to work on the job they knew they had to complete: get another W. When the dust settled that's exactly what they'd done, defeating the visiting University of Lethbridge Pronghorns 73-61 to bring their record to 2-2.

The Spartans were off to the races from the opening whistle, scoring their first two points 40 seconds into the half and jumping out to an 8-0 lead before the ‘Horns finally got on the board at the 16 minute mark. TWU's Jon Lundgren and Dan Young combined to score all of the first eight points.

Lethbridge fought to get back into the game, but Trinity Western never relinquished their lead for the entire first half, extending their lead to as much as 12 points. However, some timely three-point shooting by the 'Horns allowed them to at least close the gap, with Simon Straith hitting a long bomb with a mere two seconds left on the clock to get his team within four (36-32) at the break.

The second half opened similarly to the first, with Lundgren hitting the first two points, but then Lethbridge scored nine unanswered points-a 12-2 run that was sparked by the last second three going into halftime-to take their first lead of the game (41-38). That lead was short-lived, however, as the Spartans came right back with two quick buckets to go ahead once more. The 'Horns immediately tied it up again at 42 off a free throw, but that's as close as they would get the rest of the way. Another jumper by Lundgren put the Spartans in front for good.

The very next play was all Andy VanderMeulen-first he grabbed a tough rebound on the defensive end and sent the outlet pass to Adam Friesen, who took off running and then dished a tough pass in the lane to a trailing VanderMeulen who completed the acrobatic lay-in to extend the lead to four.

Four minutes later the lightning-quick hands of Brian Banman struck for the third time in the half, robbing Lethbridge's Tim Whitehead of the ball and racing down court to convert the lay-in. Banman finished with five steals on the night and would have had six, but was called for a foul.

The Spartans' final five points were all scored from the charity stripe as Lethbridge tried unsuccessfully to give themselves more time to cut into the lead. TWU converted five of seven to seal the win, 73-61.

Husky Energy Spartan of the Game honors went to Jon Lundgren for his outstanding performance tonight: 33 points on 13-24 shooting (54.2%), and 12 rebounds in a game-high 39 minutes played. Dan Young also had another solid night, with 13 points, 8 rebounds, 1 assist and 2 steals.

Simon Straith led the Pronghorns with 11 points and 3 rebounds, while Nick Baldwin notched a double-double, with 10 points and 10 boards, as well as 2 assists and 3 steals.

"We brought our hard hats and lunch buckets today, and got the job done," said Coach Stan Peters. "Jon came out and led with his effort; he wanted this game. Dan Young had another solid outing in what was probably his best back-to-back performance in his time here. Brian Banman also sparked us off the bench with some critical steals."

Next weekend the men are off to the University of Victoria. Game time is 8:15pm on both Friday, November 21st and Saturday, November 22nd.

Game Notes: Lundgren scored 18 of his 33 points in the first half...Banman had 5 points, 6 boards and 5 steals in 12 minutes...Lethbridge point guard Ryan Reed recorded 9 points, 8 boards, 5 assists and 1 steal...the 'Horns turned the ball over 18 times, compared to TWU's 12...

-TW-

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