SASKATOON - Summer Maskewich led the way as the University of Saskatchewan Huskies women's basketball team moved to 3-0 with a convincing victory over the 81-48 win on Friday night at the PAC.

The defending national champions led through all four quarters, despite Regina hanging around after trailing by three points after one. But Saskatchewan started to grab a hold of the game in the second quarter, to take a 13-point lead at recess. The Huskies went on to double-up the Cougars in the second-half 40-20 and emerged with the win.

Masikewich was the difference in the game, as the fifth-year forward went 13-17 from the field to go along with nine boards. 

"I think she really showed the veteran player that she is. She's a dominant force down low. She had great footwork, got the ball and made some great decisions," said Huskies head coach Lisa Thomaidis.

"She was able to score or was able to kick it out if she saw some traffic's really efficient night for her. It was a really efficient night for her, but just as important is her defense and just her ability to keep people in front and block shots at the rim. She was very good tonight."

Faith Reid paced the Cougars with 14 points on 5-11 shooting on the night.

With the win, the Huskies stayed undefeated as they moved to 3-0. The program has not lost a game since Feb. 7, 2020. Meanwhile, Regina moved to 0-3 with the loss.

The meeting marks the preview of what will be the first four matchups for Saskatchewan, who won't play a team other than Regina until Dec. 4. Tonight gave Thomaidis a taste of what Regina has in store.

"They're really dynamic and they can shoot the ball very well. They have a lot of three-point threats and, and, you know, if you fall asleep, they're going to shoot a three and more times than not, they're going to make it," said Thomaidis.

"You really have to kind of change your mindset and defend the three point line more so than defending the basket. It takes a little while to get accustomed to that, but I thought our players did a nice job making that adjustment."

As Thomaidis alluded to, the Huskies did seem to get accustomed to the Cougars on the offensive end, as they limited the visitors to just 6-34 shooting in the second-half.

"I think for us, we can be a pretty solid defensive team. So I was pretty proud of that performance, Regina has been averaging upwards, 70, 80 points to hold them under 50 was pretty good," said Thomaidis.

The Huskies and Cougars will do battle once again on Saturday, with Saskatchewan honouring their 2019-20 U SPORTS National Championship team prior to the 8:15 tip-off, as the squad receives their championship rings.