VANCOUVER - On the strength of an 11-0 run to end the game, the visiting Lethbridge Pronghorns took down the UBC Thunderbirds 49-38 in exhibition action at War Memorial Gym.
Zara Huntley put back an offensive rebound to tie the score at 38-38 with 7:38 remaining in the fourth quarter but those turned out to be the final T-Bird points of the contest as Lethbridge then went on their game sealing run.
UBC struggled from the floor in the second half, going 6-of-32 (18.8%) from the field including 3-of-18 (16.6%) during the fourth quarter. The T-Birds were 16-of-65 (24.6%) for the contest.
"It's probably better to see before it really counts but obviously we struggled with energy. We couldn't convert anything inside or outside - I've never seen a shooting percentage this low," said UBC head coach
Deb Huband. "There's some fatigue involved but still it was a poor team performance."
Lauren Taal led the 'Horns with 17 points and was 3-of-8 from downtown while Becky Henniger also hit double figures with 10 points. Lethbridge was much better than UBC from the field, 19-of-50 (38.0%) and out rebounded the 'Birds 48 to 33.
The T-Birds had their chances with 15 offensive rebounds and 26 Lethbridge turnovers but for long stretches could not hit a shot, open or contested.
Alex Vieweg was the T-Birds lone bright spot finishing with 13 points and five rebounds.
"Alex showed glimpses of what she is capable of doing but she didn't have a full 40 minutes. Her game though was the closest to that of anybody on the floor," said Huband of the fourth-year forward.
Lethbridge earned a 13-8 lead after the first quarter before the hosts finally appeared to hit their stride. UBC led 23-16 midway through the second frame before Lethbridge used an 8-0 run to close the half to lead 24-23. It was back and forth from there until the 'Horns closed the door over the final eight minutes.
UBC opens their 2010 Canada West regular season next weekend on October 22 and 23 with a pair of games against the Saskatchewan Huskies. Saturday's tilt is part of CIS women's basketball 'Shoot for the Cure' initiative in support of the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation.
Lethbridge opens their CW regular season at home against Trinity Western next weekend.
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