Jason Hills
For MacEwan Athletics
EDMONTON — The MacEwan Griffins know that when they're locked in on defence, they can be a tough team to beat — unfortunately they weren't locked in enough, and it cost them.
A rough third quarter against the Lethbridge Pronghorns put them in a 15-point hole going into the fourth quarter, and while they showed a lot of heart to get within three points in the final moments of the game, they fell 90-85 on Friday night at the David Atkinson gym.
"We gave up 25 points in the third quarter, if we don't do that, we're right into it and then we have a 27-17 fourth quarter. We didn't play D for the first three quarters, and that's the big thing," said Griffins head coach Mike Connolly.
"When we play D like we can, we're a good team, but guys have to learn to dig in and play all the time. You can't just pick and choose your times. They're young and they've got to learn they're not good enough for that yet, and they have to work hard all the time."
Job Janda led MacEwan with 20 points and eight rebounds, while Joel Seke recorded 17 points, six rebounds, three assists, two steals and a block in the loss for MacEwan as they fell to 2-9 this season. Hugo Alonso added 13 points in his first action since Nov. 23, while Diego Presingular chipped in 11 points and three assists.
Slick footwork and a silky smooth shot from the rookie Diego Presingular!#GriffNation pic.twitter.com/aLmT8ExT2x
— MacEwan Griffins Men's Basketball Team (@Griffins_MBB) January 18, 2025
The Pronghorns were led by Angelo Mbituyimana, who recorded a double-double with 23 points and 13 rebounds. Jack-Henry Fox-Grey was a a marksman on the court with 22 points and he finished 9-of-11 from the field, nailing his only attempt from beyond the arc.
MacEwan trailed just 21-18 after the opening quarter and 48-40 at the half, but their game unravelled in the third quarter with too many turnovers, and the Pronghorns were beating them up the floor in transition, as Lethbridge finished the game scoring 32 fast break points.
Job Janda hits the spin-around layup for two of his team-leading 15 points through three quarter.#GriffNation pic.twitter.com/kHMYCzlqOM
— MacEwan Griffins Men's Basketball Team (@Griffins_MBB) January 18, 2025
"In the first three quarters, we weren't sprinting or working and not doing the things that give us a chance. When we do those things, we're a pretty good defensive team, so for us, it's about focus and not losing guys and penetration," said Connolly.
"You got to fight, and I liked our fight in the fourth quarter… but we can't let things get to us, we have got to preserve and tonight I thought the ebbs and flows of the game, we let it get to us, and we needed to level it out."
With the win, Lethbridge improved to 8-3 and sit tied for third in the Prairie Division.
Dami Osuma, left, and Joel Seke battle a Pronghorns players for a loose ball on Friday (James Maclennan photo).
The Pronghorns' who have a deep roster this season, took advantage of the Griffins lack of defensive intensity in the first three quarters. They shot the ball 50 per cent from the field and they hit a lot of big shots when MacEwan would start to go on a run.
"They shot the ball really well, and we let it slip defensively and had too many lapses when we were supposed to be more attentive, and that's something we have to learn from," said Seke.
In the fourth quarter, the Griffins were led by Seke and Janda, who went to work at both ends of the floor. See grabbed a rebound off his own miss and put it back to cut the Pronghorns' lead to 75-66.
Strong rally at the end from the @MacEwanGriffins as Milan Jaksic draws them within three in waning seconds before they fall 90-85 to the @UofLPronghorns tonight.#GriffNation pic.twitter.com/JTC6YOw0Jz
— MacEwan Griffins Men's Basketball Team (@Griffins_MBB) January 18, 2025
Then late in the quarter, Janda made it 88-83 with two free throws, and then off a turnover Milan Jaksic made it 88-85 as he fought through bodies in the paint and made the tough layup with just 8.7 seconds left, but that was as close as MacEwan would get.
"We battled and were able to close that gap in the fourth and I loved our fight, but it's disappointing, because it was definitely a winnable game for us, but we needed to be more consistent defensively for all four quarters," said Seke.
"We can't dwell on our mistakes, but we have to fix them and move forward from this."
The teams will meet again on Saturday (5 p.m., David Atkinson Gym, Canada West TV).
