Female Athlete of the Week
The MRU women's basketball team faced the Lethbridge Pronghorns in two challenging games over the past weekend. In Friday's game, the Pronghorns narrowly defeated the Cougars 69-60. Despite a tight contest in the second game, Mount Royal ultimately fell to Lethbridge 75-71, marking their second loss of the weekend.
The Players Bench Female Athlete of the Week is
Harriette Mackenzie. The third-year forward was a shining star for the Cougars, recording back-to-back double-doubles. On Friday, Mackenzie scored a season-high 25 points, also grabbing 17 rebounds in a performance reminiscent of WNBA star A'ja Wilson. The Comox, B.C., local followed up her outstanding showing with another double-double, making it six for the season. Mackenzie tallied 19 points, a campaign-best 22 rebounds, and added three blocks in the Cougars' loss.
Mackenzie is enjoying a fantastic season in her first year at Mount Royal after transferring from Vancouver Island University. She is enrolled in MRU's open studies program.
Male Athlete of the Week
The Cougars men's basketball team secured two crucial victories during their visit to the University of Lethbridge Pronghorns over the weekend. Friday's 87-84 triumph was a hard-fought battle, with Mount Royal prevailing and ending their five-game losing streak. The weekend finale proved equally challenging, requiring a couple of game-winning free throws late in the game for an 85-84 victory, bringing MRU's record back to .500 in the fiercely competitive Canada West conference.
The Players Bench Male Athlete of the Week is
Keivonte Watts. The 6-1 guard delivered an outstanding performance in Lethbridge, showcasing one of the best weekends in the history of the MRU men's basketball program. Watts scored an impressive 33 points during Friday's win, including a 16-point third quarter. In a remarkable feat, he outdid himself on Saturday, dropping a career-high 40 points on the Pronghorns, marking the second-highest single-game point total in Cougar history. Watts' exceptional weekend was highlighted by his scoring efficiency, going 29-for-40 from the field for a staggering .725 field goal percentage.
Hailing from Utica, Miss., Watts is enrolled in the Health and Physical Education program at Mount Royal.
