Scheduled Game: LETHBRIDGE*

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GAME RESULTS 1 2 T Lethbridge Pronghorns 27 29 56 TWU Spartans 31 29 60 « FINAL

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Game Recap

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Spartans Rally for Win
TWU overcomes a 13-point deficit to top Lethbridge 60-56

LANGLEY, British Columbia - Liesa Ohman (Langley) was the star and Randi French (Richmond) played the hero as the Trinity Western University women's basketball team defeated the Lethbridge University Pronghorns 60-56 Friday night at TWU. Ohman led the way at both ends of the floor for the Spartans scoring 14 points, while playing tenacious defense. But Randi Frenchmade three clutch free throws and had a steal in the final 8 seconds to seal the win for the Spartans.

"I'm really proud of them. We have given effort in every game that we played and it was nice to be rewarded with a win tonight," said TWU Head Coach Danielle Gardner. "Liesa was phenomenal tonight. She played tough on defense and hit the open shots when she needed to."

The win improves TWU to 4-9, while the loss drops Lethbridge to 2-9

The Pronghorns came out flying to start the game. They took advantage of TWU turnovers and missed shots to jump out to a 13 point lead, 17-4 with 12 minutes to go in the half. The two teams exchanged hoops over the next few minutes and with 10 minutes to go in the half Lethbridge still led TWU 19-6. After a couple of timeouts the Spartans got things turned around. There defensive intensity started to create opportunities, while limiting Lethbridge's chances. Before the Pronghorns knew what hit them the Spartans had turned a 13 point lead deficit into a six point lead, 27-21 by outscoring Lethbridge 21-2. The Pronghorns cut into the lead slightly as TWU went into the break leading 31-27. TWU scored 18 points off of Lethbridge's 14 first half turnovers. Lethbridge shot 12-17 from the foul line in the first half, while TWU went a perfect 5-5.

The second half was a battle from the start. Neither team allowed the other to gain significant control of the game as it would come down to the final seconds before the outcome would be determined.

Then with ten minutes to go and the teams tied at 43, the Spartans took control. Over the next five minutes TWU would use a 10-4 run to build a six point lead, 53-47 with five minutes remaining. The Spartans would maintain the lead 56-51 with two and a half remaining.

Lethbridge did not fold as they hit the next four points to make it 56-55 with one minute remaining. Lethbridge had a chance to take the lead with 30 seconds remaining, but Kim Bridge (Sorrento) would miss her first and have a lane violation on the second to give the ball back to TWU. On the ensuing inbound pass the Pronghorns fouled TWU's Taylor Stuart (Surrey). Stuart hit one of two to make it a two point game, 57-55 with 28 seconds remaining. Liesa Ohman fouled Kim Bridge as she drove the lane. But once again Bridge missed both foul shots. The Pronghorns Ciana Gregorio (Maple Ridge) got the rebound, but missed her put-back attempt. But Lethbridge's Megan Campbell (North Vancouver) got the rebound and fed Jordana Miltimore (Maple Ridge). Miltimore was fouled on her shot attempt and went to the line with 10 seconds remaining. She missed her first shot and after making her second shot Lethbridge fouled TWU's Randi French on the inbound play. French then missed her first and made her second to make it 58-56 Spartans with eight seconds remaining. Then on the Lethbridge inbound play French stole the pass from Kim Bridge and was subsequently fouled by Bridge. French then sealed the victory by draining both shots to give TWU the 60-56 win.

Ohman and Taylor Stuart with 14 points each led the Spartans, while Jordana Miltimore led Lethbridge with 19 points and six rebounds. TWU's Randi French led all players with four steals.

The two teams will play again tomorrow night at TWU. Game time is set for 6 pm.

Game notes: Lethbridge had 24 turnovers, while TWU had 16...the Pronghorns outrebounded the Spartans 41-28...After going 12-17 from the foul line in the first half Lethbridge went 3-7 in the second half. TWU shot 5-5 in the first half and 16-23 in the second half...

-TW-

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