SASKATOON, Sask. - In just over 24 hours Canada West's division winners will take the Ron & Jane Graham Centre Court with a conference title on the line. The Huskies are in search of their 10th Canada West title in program history and eighth in the past 11 seasons, while the UBC Thunderbirds will hope to capture their 9th banner and first in over a decade.
 

---

HUSKIE WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

Canada West Playoffs | Championship
Saskatchewan Huskies (18-2, No. 1-seed) vs UBC Thunderbirds (18-2, No. 2-seed)
Saturday, March 8, 2025 | 5:00 PM
Ron & Jane Graham Centre Court at the Physical Activity Complex | Saskatoon, Sask. 
 

---

The University of Saskatchewan Huskies and University of British Columbia Thunderbirds have been on a collision course all season. This Saturday they will finally meet in the Canada West Championship. 

Earning identical 18-2 records during the 2024-25 regular season, the Huskies and Thunderbirds were the only teams to rank in the top three in both points per game and points allowed per game in the conference. Saskatchewan tops both of those categories (83.7 & 47.9) while UBC ranks second (79.9) and third (53.6). Despite the two teams being the most efficient in the conference at both ends of the court, the Huskies still own a significant advantage over the T-Birds in most statistical categories, the exceptions being field goal percentage (44.0 to 43.3), opponent turnovers per game (28.7 to 27.4), and blocks per game (2.9 to 1.8). 

On paper, the key to the Huskies' 10th Canada West title could be the Dogs' playmaking ability and three-point shooting. The Huskies average five more assists per game and own a five-percent advantage in three-point shooting. Additionally, the T-Birds lineup does not feature a player averaging more than 2.3 assists per game or shooting better than 32.1% from beyond the arc this season.

Statistics are not the only thing the two teams match up closely in either, with both squads boasting plenty of depth and talent. Two Canada West Major Award Winners and five All-Stars are featured in Saturday's championship, with the 2024-25 Player of the Year Gage Grassick heading the group. Grassick finished the season second in scoring, averaging 18.4 points per game, while leading Canada West in assists per game (6.0), steals per game (3.4), and three-point shooting (41.1%) on the way to being named the season's top player. Her UBC counterpart, Mona Berlitz, also experienced a strong season with the First Team All-Star finishing third in scoring, averaging 16.6 points per game. The Dogs will also be going up against this year's conference Rookie of the Year, Keira Daly. In her first season of Canada West basketball, Daly averaged 15.8 points per game while leading the Thunderbirds in assists and three-point shooting. 

Despite a storied rivalry, Saskatchewan and UBC have met just seven times in the postseason, with the Huskies owning a narrow 4-3 advantage. Their last playoff meeting came just two seasons ago in the 2023 Canada West Quarter-Finals and saw the Dogs earn a dominant 81-46 victory on their way to a conference title.

Regardless of Saturday's outcome, both teams will travel to Vancouver next week for the 2025 U SPORTS Final 8, with the Thunderbirds playing hosts to this year's championship tournament. The championship kicks off on Thursday, March 13, culminating in the National Championship game on Sunday, March 16, 2025. 
 

---

Head-to-Head vs UBC
All-Time: 52-67 T-Birds
Last 10 Meetings: 9-1 Huskies
Playoff Record: 4-3 Huskies
Last Playoff Meeting: Def. UBC 81-46 in 2023 CW Quarter-Final
Last Reg. Season Meeting: W 77-62, W 76-63 - Nov. 2023
 

---