Evan Ostertag goes up and over Pronghorn defenders.

The clash between the number two and three men’s basketball teams in the Prairie Division was set to be a close affair, and this past weekend’s series delivered.

The number two Huskies downed number three University of Lethbridge Pronghorns 87-55 on Jan. 24 but the Pronghorns got the better of the Dogs 97-84 on Jan. 25. The Huskies are now 12-4 on the season and are four points back of the top ranked University of Alberta Golden Bears in the Prairie Division standings.

The Pronghorns gave up an early lead on Friday night and quickly fell behind 18-9 after one quarter. By the end of the first half the Huskies had a 13 point cushion with the score at 40-27.

The Huskies offence began rolling in the third quarter and soon the Dogs amassed a 72-46 lead. The Pronghorns had no answers for the Huskies’ form and never worked their way back into the game.

Dadrian Collins netted a game-high 22 points, while Ben Baker added another seven points and 12 rebounds.

The next night it was the Pronghorns’ turn to have a hot start, opening with a 14-6 lead, but the Huskies fought back for 26-21 after the first quarter.

The Dogs kept their lead until mid-way through the second period, but the Pronghorns began to find their range. The Pronghorns ended the half with a 16-6 run to pull ahead 75-69.

The momentum stayed with the Pronghorns in the third quarter despite the Huskies’ best efforts to steal it back. Heading into the fourth the Huskies were back by six points.

The Dogs kept the score close but a jump shot and a three-pointer from the Pronghorns in the closing minutes was enough to net the win.

Evan Ostertag led the Huskies with 25 points. Baker recorded a double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds. Stephon Lamar chipped in 21 points.

The Huskies host the University of Northern British Columbia Timberwolves on Jan. 31 and the Mount Royal University Cougars on Feb.1.

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Photo: Katherine Fedoroff