SASKATOON, SK – The Saskatchewan Huskies opened their 2022-23 season against the visiting Mount Royal Cougars.
 
The Huskies are looking to make it four straight Canada West titles, and they came ready to play.
 
The first quarter was all Huskies early as Gage Grassick had the first two baskets of the game. The Dogs were up 13-4 when MRU head coach Robyn Fleckenstein called a timeout to try and settle down the Cougars. The time out didn't slow down the Saskatchewan offense as they rolled to a 25-7 opening quarter. Veteran Carly Ahlstrom was sure to make her presence felt going 3-for-4 in the quarter from deep and 12 in total.
 
The second quarter saw the MRU offense start to find a bit of a groove putting up 21 points, but it was no match for the high-octane Saskatchewan offense who scored 24 in the quarter. Rose Fall lead the Dogs with 8 points in her first minutes as a Huskie. The strong performance from Saskatchewan lead to a 49-28.
 
The Huskies offense was slow to get going at the start of the third quarter, forcing the legendary Lisa Thomaidis to call a timeout just 3:06 into the half when the Cougars had cut the lead to 16. The Huskies responded closing the quarter on a 16-7 run to extend the lead to 68-43.
 
The fourth quarter saw the Huskies keep their foot on gas growing the lead to 31 within the first two minutes. MRU's defense was unable to slow down the Huskies leading the Dogs to a decisive opening night victory with a final score 86-55.
 
The Huskies offence was firing on all cylinders with five Huskies reaching double digits. Ahlstrom led the way with 17 points and seven rebounds. Fall, the Dakar, Senagal product was determined to show the Canada West conference she is here to play this season with 12 points. Courtney Primeau had 11 points and nine boards. Téa Demong chipped in with 11 points and 6 rebounds, while rookie Logan Reider had 10 points and eight rebounds. Grassick had a team high 5 assists. 
 
The Cougars were led by Maddison Hooper with 12 points. Tanis Metcalfe had 9 points and a team high eight rebounds. The Cougars shot 30.4% from deep in the game.
 
The Huskies and Cougars are back in action tomorrow at 5:00pm at the PAC. The Huskies 2022 Canada West Banner will be raised after the game. Tickets can be purchased at Huskietickets.com.