WINNIPEG – (With files from Sheldon Appelle) The Lakehead women’s basketball team battled hard to the very end, but Winnipeg 5th year senior Mackenzie Prasek had an answer. Prasek drained a three pointer with seven seconds left in regulation time to help the Winnipeg Wesmen to a dramatic 64-63 victory over the Lakehead Thunderwolves in the opening game of the BOB FM Women’s Basketball Shootout Friday night in Winnipeg.
Prasek finished the game with 13 points, including three 3-pointers. Danielle Baril led the Wesmen in the scoring department with 14. Stephanie Kleysen finished with a double-double 13 points and 10 rebounds.
Carolyn Fragale led Lakehead with a game high 18 points, including five shots from three point territory. Lindsay Inkila added 15 and Lindsay Dreury finished with 10 points.
Winnipeg had control of the game in the early stages leading 20-9 after the opening quarter. Lakehead rebounded and outscored the Wesmen 23-13 in the second frame to cut the Wesmen lead to 33-32 at halftime.
The Thunderwolves carried their momentum into the third quarter and outscored the Wesmen 24-16 to open up a 56-49 lead after thirty minutes.
Winnipeg rebounded in the fourth quarter and were able to outscore the Thunderwolves 15-7 to make the final score 64-63.
Coach Jon Kreiner said, “Our ladies battled hard tonight. We were out of sorts in the first quarter and put ourselves into a hole. we did a much better job of moving the ball and getting open looks but failed to take care of the ball and score in the final quarter. Lindsay Inkila sparked our comeback scoring 15 points (6-6 from the field) and Carloyn Fragale was super tonight. In the end it was FT’s that cost us again, 7 of 12 for us, versus 12 of 12 for Winnipeg.”
Lakehead will face the Regina Cougars in the late game at 8:00 pm
Game will webcast on Canada West TV.