Strong defence propels Horns to win

By Lethbridge Herald on January 31, 2025.

Herald Photo by Justin Seward University of Lethbridge Pronghorns Courtney McKee attempts to steal the ball from the University of Victoria Vikes' Jade Dittmer during Canada West women's basketball action at 1st Choice Savings Centre on Friday night.

By Justin Seward

Lethbridge Herald

The University of Lethbridge Pronghorns women’s basketball team used strong defence to edge the University of Victoria Vikes 64-58 at 1st Choice Savings Centre on Friday night.

“Very proud of our defensive effort,” said Dave Waknuk, Horns head coach.

“That’s a very good basketball team, they gotta lot of high-end talent on that team. And the fact that we came in, held them under 60, being undersized, being smaller (and) being younger in a lot of spots, I thought we really set the example with our defence.”

Waknuk thought ball pressure was key to holding the Vikes off late.

“I think if we get up on the basketball and go regressive on the basketball, it makes a big difference,” said Waknuk.

“I also think our defence is best when it’s a unit and when it’s solid together and I thought we did that.”

“Everybody on the floor did their job and you can’t ask for anything more than that out of this team,” said Kamryn Deklerk.

Dekerk said at any point, a win is great because you’re building.

“Every game is a build from here until playoffs,” said Deklerk.

De Klerk wants to see exact same thing in tonight’s game against the Vikes.

“We get energy from everybody, and we go deep into our bench and we run,” said DeKlerk.

The Horns are now 7-8 on the season and hold down the sixth playoff spot out of seven in the Prairie Division.

Abby Stonehocker led the Horns with 15 points.

U of L shot 27.5 per cent in field goals, 25.9 per cent in three-point attempts and 52 per cent from the free-throw line and had 27 offensive rebounds and 30 defensive rebounds.

The Horn men’s team lost 83-75 to UVic in the later game.

Both women’s teams play at 5 p.m. and the men’s teams play at 7 p.m. tonight at U of L.