SASKATOON, Sask. – The U SPORTS No. 6-ranked team in the nation returned to action Friday night (Jan. 10) on their home court, hosting the Mount Royal Cougars (7-3) in a divisional matchup. The Huskies would play an impressive second half to earn their seventh consecutive win, improving to 7-2 on the year, while the Cougars suffered their fourth loss and move to 7-4.

Courtney Primeau led the Dogs in the win, totaling 17 points for a season high. Primeau was followed by Gage Grassick who scored 15 while adding six assists and five steals. Andrea Dodig and Logan Reider also reached double-digit point totals, recording 10 each.

For the visiting Cougars, Maddy Hooper led the way with 14 points thanks to a game-high four triples. 

The opening quarter of the new year saw a seesaw game between the Dogs and Cougars, with neither team going on a run of more than four points. The Huskies were an efficient 7-14 from inside the three-point line, but it was the visiting team's shooting from deep (4-7) which gave them the one-point advantage after 10 minutes. 

The Huskies would raise the intensity in the second frame, both on offence and defence, forcing nine turnovers while shooting 57% from the field. It was all-Canadian talent Gage Grassick who led the second quarter surge, recording eight points and four steals. The Dogs took the quarter 23-11 to head in the locker room with an 11-point lead.

Some stellar play in the second would carry over into the third as the Dogs stretched their lead to 17 heading into the fourth. The visiting team was then shut down in final frame, scoring just five points as the Huskies earned an 82-51 victory. 

It was another strong defensive team performance which led the Huskies to their seventh win of the season, with the Dogs finishing the game with 18 steals and 37 points off turnovers. The home team also dominated the paint recording 52 points in tight while holding MRU to just 12.

The two teams will meet again on Saturday (Jan. 11) in the second game of their weekend doubleheader. Tipoff is set for 5:00 PM on the Ron & Jane Graham Centre Court at the Physical Activity Complex. Get your tickets at HuskieTickets.com or watch live on CanadaWest.tv, presented by BioSteel.