SASKATOON — The University of Saskatchewan Huskies women's basketball team lived up to their number-one seed, defeating the Lethbridge Pronghorns 62-51 in front of a crowd of 1,491 at the Physical Activity Complex.
After being named a Canada West first-team all-star this past week, Summer Masikewich recorded a team-high 17 points in the win, leading Saskatchewan to tomorrow night's conference championship. The fifth-year forward, who is playing in her final pair of games on her home floor, also chipped in eight rebounds and three assists in the win.
Eight of Masikewich's 17 points came in what was a dominant third-quarter, which was ultimately the difference for Saskatchewan.
"We finally got a bunch of touches to Summer. She was able to get the ball and go to work and that was the difference I thought. It just loosened things up on the perimeter when she was able to get an inside,"said Huskies had coach Lisa Thomaidis.
The game was tied 28-28 at halftime, but the Huskies outscored the visitors 21-10 in the frame, to take an 11-point lead into the fourth — a margin they ended up winning by.
"The third quarter was huge. We came out hot and got aggressive, got ourselves in bonus and I thought that was huge for us," said Thomaidis.
"That one run is what kind of broke the game open in the third-quarter and against a good team, like Saskatchewan, which is an excellent team, you make mistakes and you pay for it. They found momentum and they had things going on their side, and we just couldn't stop that run and that's what the difference was," said Pronghorns head coach Dave Waknuk
"But credit to Saskatchewan. That's a great team. They're well coached and just even they say they played as good as people think they are. They're as good as that and then some."
With the victory, the Huskies will go for their fifth conference championship in the last six years tomorrow night at the PAC. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:00 p.m.
"It's just unbelievable to me that we've been able to sustain this level for this long. Super proud of the team. They've worked so hard to get here they deserve absolutely every bit of accolades and attention that they get," said Thomaidis.
The win also ensured eight-straight U SPORTS Final 8's for Lisa Thomaidis and company, as Saskatchewan punched their ticket to the national championship which begins in less than two weeks time in Kingston, Ont.
Despite the defeat, it was a valiant effort from Lethbridge. They were able to go blow-to-blow with the Huskies for nearly the entirety of the night and took a three-point lead into the second-quarter, but it was a 12-0 run from Saskatchewan in the third-quarter that proved costly for the visitors.
Jessica Haenni was a difference maker all night long for the Pronghorns. The fourth-year guard had a game-high 18 points, and was able to keep Lethbridge in the battle all night long.
"I'm very proud of the effort. I thought we really battled. And I know, you know, a lot of coaches will say that. But I think we really, we really displayed that I thought we fought hard. I thought we did the things we want. And we defended really well. We played at a good pace," said Waknuk.
The aforementioned crowd of 1,491 certainly played a factor throughout the night, giving Saskatchewan momentum in that third-quarter and throughout the night.
"It was a fantastic crowd tonight. We couldn't be more grateful for them and for everyone. That place looked like it was pretty much sold out for a semifinal," said Thomaidis. "It was phenomenal. I can't say enough about the support and we feel the love. Having such a great environment to play in is tremendous."
Despite the loss, Waknuk was appreciative of the experience the crowd provided.
"It's tough to replicate that kind of crowd and energy, obviously, in the training environment, but it's also why you play. How great is that at a Canada West event to have that kind of energy and that kind of crowd and that interest in women's basketball. As tough as it is as an opposing coach to be in it, it's a lot of fun. It's a great thing for Canada West and a great thing for the University of Saskatchewan to have that kind of interest and energy in their program," said Waknuk.
The Pronghorns will look to rebound tomorrow night, with a conference bronze on the line — as well as potentially, a trip to nationals with an at-large bid waiting to be claimed.
"I think we look at it now as a bit of a road trip and we got a second game on Saturday. And we want to try to win that last game. We talked about that and every team wants to finish their season winning that last game and we get a chance to do it. We still got a chance to learn and get better from tonight and try to improve, turn around and bring the same energy in the same fight that we had tonight back into tomorrow afternoon," said Waknuk.
As mentioned, tip-off for the Canada West Final is scheduled for 7:00 p.m., while the bronze medal game will get underway at 5:00 p.m. All the action can be seen on Canada West TV presented by Co-op.
