LETHBRIDGE, Alta. – Looking to secure a first round bye in the playoffs, the Lethbridge men's basketball team got past the Trinity Western Spartans 99-81 Friday night.

The win moves the 'Horns to 11-8 and with losses by Regina and Winnipeg, the 'Horns took sole possession of fourth place in the Canada West Pioneer division. The loss drops the Spartans to 1-18 on the season.

Brandon Brine led the 'Horns, with 21 points, while Josh Sparkes came off the bench to score 15 points after starting point guard Dejon Burdeaux went down early in the opening quarter. Zac Overwater also chipped in with 15 points and Rob Olsen put up 13 points.

For the Spartans, Lucas Mannes (Chilliwack, B.C.) put together a double-double, with a game-high 27 points to go with 10 rebounds while Vartan Tanielian (Surrey, B.C.) picked up 13 points in a losing cause.

Neither team created separation off the hop, as the Spartans and 'Horns both seemed content to go shot-for-shot, and accumulate as many points as possible.

The first quarter ended with the 'Horns leading, 23-18. Brandon Brine led the 'Horns with 10 points. His counterpart, Sebastian Eliasen (Ballerup, Denmark) dropped eight.

The second quarter was a broken record, as both teams continued to score points. The high-scoring half came to an end with the home team up 50-43 on the Spartans.

Brine and Overwater led the 'Horns with 12 points each, but Rob Olsen was hot on their tails with 11. Mannes, who scored 14, led the Spartans.

The 'Horns shot 58.1 per cent from the field, and 61.5 per cent on the long ball. The Spartans went 45.5 per cent from the field and 40 per cent from the 3-point line.

Rebounds were even at 16 apiece.

The third quarter is where the 'Horns did their damage, distancing themselves from the Spartans. Brine finished the quarter with 11 points, and his team went to the final quarter with a 13-point lead.

The strong second half continued for the 'Horns in the fourth quarter, as they continued to hold the hot hand and the Spartans just couldn't keep up with the barrage the 'Horns threw at them.

The 'Horns were dominant efficiency wise, going 47.8 per cent from the field and 42.4 per cent from downtown. The Spartans settled for 38.8 per cent from the field, and 35.0 per cent on three-point attempts.

Rebounds were dead even at 40 apiece.

The 'Horns and Spartans go toe-to-toe again Saturday evening, at 1st Choice Savings Centre, at 7 p.m.

-UofL-
-TW-