SASKATOON, Sask. - In yet another U SPORTS Top-10 matchup featuring Canada West teams, the top-ranked Saskatchewan Huskies continued their dominant run this season over the No. 7 Calgary Dinos, recording a 63-44 victory Friday night (Jan. 23) on the Ron & Jane Graham Centre Court. Calgary entered the game as the last team to defeat Saskatchewan, having done so 44 games ago in Week 1 of the 2024-25 season, but the Huskies showed once again why they remain one of three undefeated teams left in the nation. 

Saskatchewan wasted no time setting the tone, opening the game on a 10-0 run fueled by strong defensive play and rebounding. After the opening surge from the home team, the remainder of the first quarter shifted into a back-and-forth battle as the two teams settled into the contest. The Huskies lead held firm though, and the home team took an early 19-11 lead after one.

The second frame saw the tug-of-war continue as neither team was able to get going offensively. Calgary disrupted any chance of sustained momentum after repeatedly sending the Huskies to the line, while Saskatchewan shot just 37% from the field. Maya Flindall proved to be the best player on the court in the second, going 3-for-3 while connecting once from beyond the arc. Despite the struggles at the opposite end, the Huskies still managed to tie their first quarter point total and took a 38-25 lead into the break.

The third quarter featured plenty of defence at both ends of the court, with Calgary and Saskatchewan holding each other to just 18 combined points. As the visiting Dinos fought to keep the defending champs within striking distance, the Huskies defence was stout, recording six steals. However shooting woes once again held the Dogs from pulling away as they converted at just 24% at the end of the quarter.

Early in the fourth, Calgary's defence came up with several key plays as the clock began to run down on the visitors. Saskatchewan however weather the brief change in momentum and quickly regained control. Flindall and Ella Murphy Wiebe guided the Huskies down the stretch, recording 14 of the Huskies' 16 points in the final frame to lead Saskatchewan to a 15th victory this season and the 45th of their impressive win streak.

The fourth capped off strong nights for both Murphy Wiebe and Flindall, with Murphy Wiebe finishing the contest with a game-high 19 points in addition to recording her third career double-double with 13 rebounds. Flindall meanwhile totaled 17 points for her 14th straight game in double-figures. Defensively, Téa DeMong led the charge with five steals, followed closely by Gage Grassick and Anna Maelde who earned three apiece. For the visitors, Lilia Skumatova was the lone Dino with a double-digit point total, finishing the game with 11. Amelie Collin added nine points while Kourtney Oss led the effort in the paint with 12 rebounds and two blocks.

The two teams are back it tomorrow at 5:00 PM for the second round of their weekend series at the Physical Activity Complex.