SASKATOON, Sask. — On a night that began with the Huskies raising the program's fourth national championship banner into the rafters of the Physical Activity Complex, the University of Saskatchewan Huskies showed what it takes to be a perennial contender. The Dogs battled back from an early deficit and put their ability to score in bunches on display in their 2026-27 home opener, securing an 81-69 victory over the Manitoba Bisons to improve to 3-0 on the young season.
In a slow start for the Huskies, Manitoba opened the contest with a 6-0 run to take the early advantage. The Saskatchewan shooting woes continued for much of the opening frame, with Manitoba taking advantage until points from Hyaden Kot and
Olivia Harm cut the deficit to three.
As the Huskie offence found its footing in the second, veteran guards
Logan Reider and
Maya Flindall combined for eight points to give the Dogs their first lead of the night.
The veteran pair, along with Kot, continued to provide the edge at the attacking end of the court, however the Bisons continued to find looks.
A pair of late buckets from Manitoba's Taylor Schepp and Paige Schatkowsky would see the visitors seemingly take the lead into the break. However,
Olivia Harm had other plans. Kot deflected a Bison stretch pass before the third-year forward found the loose ball, turned and fired a triple, connecting on the shot form distance to give the Huskies a narrow 34-33 halftime lead.
The third then featured the highest scoring frame of the evening, led by Flindall who scored 12 points on 4-of-7 shooting, as Saskatchewan extended their lead by four.
The defending champs then controlled the pace in the fourth, once again leaning on their experienced core, to close out the contest and keep their undefeated start to the season going.
The two teams return to the court at the Physical Activity Complex tomorrow evening to complete their weekend series. Tipoff is set for 5:00 PM CST.
