SASKATOON, Sask. - The University of Saskatchewan (USask) men's basketball team found the win column for the first time this season Friday night (Jan. 24) at the Ron & Jane Graham Centre Court, defeating the Lethbridge Pronghorns 81-74. 

The Huskies now earn a 1-11 record following the win while handing the Pronghorns just their fourth loss of the season as the visiting team falls to 9-4 on the year.

The winning effort was led by Saskatchewan forward Easton Thimm who record a game-high 26-points while adding 10 rebounds for his seventh double-double this season. The reigning Canada West Rookie of the Year saved his best for crunch time, totaling 11 points in the fourth quarter thanks to a 3-for-4 shooting period and five points from the charity stripe. 

Fourth-year business student Emmanuel Bonsu also had a strong performance to help the Dogs earn their first win, recording 18 points on 7-of-14 shooting while totaling eight rebounds, five assists, and a pair of steals.

Dillyn Morin would make it three Huskies in double-digits, earning a season-high 12 of his own thanks to three triples. 

The visiting Pronghorns were led by Angelo Mbituyimana and Jack-Henry Fox-Grey. Mbituyimana led the team with 22 points and four threes while recording a double-double with 13 rebounds. Fox-Grey, as the only other Pronghorn in double figures, totaled 17 in the loss. 

It was a dominant night for the Huskies in the paint, earning a 42-28 advantage in a tightly-contested back-and-forth affair. The game saw seven lead changes before the Huskies pulled out ahead late in the fourth-quarter, building a ten-point lead thanks to 15 points from Bonsu and Thimm to open the final frame. 

It was then that free throws from Freddy Kapinga and Easton Thimm put the game out of reach, solidifying the first victory of the season for then home team.

The Huskies and Pronghorns are back on the Ron & Jane Graham Centre Court tomorrow to close out their weekend series with tip-off at the Physical Activity Complex set for 5:00 PM.