QUEBEC CITY, Que. - Led by a 25-point performance from 2025-26 First Team All-Canadian Gage Grassick, the No. 5-seed University of Saskatchewan Huskies cruised to a 71-55 victory over the No. 4-seeded UBC Thunderbirds in the U SPORTS Final 8 Quarterfinal round. With the victory, the Huskies advance to Saturday's (Mar. 7) semifinals and will take on the winner of the top-seeded TMU Bold and the host Laval Rouge et Or. 

"I think we would have had a bigger lead had we been able to make our free throws, just not shooting well from the line and even from the three," said head coach Lisa Thomaidis postgame. "But Thankfully our defense held us in it and that's what the difference was."

"I think if we can defend like that and we can have a bit better shooting night, then we'll give ourselves a chance no matter who we're playing against."

It was a convincing victory for Saskatchewan, who entered the national championship tournament as the at-large berth following a perfect 20-0 regular season, despite the shooting woes. The Huskies held the lead for all 40 minutes of the contest with the Thunderbirds failing to pull to within a possession of their Canada West rivals after the opening minutes. 

The Dogs quickly built a 19-11 opening quarter lead thanks to an efficient 47% shooting performance and a stout defensive effort which held UBC to just five field goals. However, UBC responded well in the second, shooting 50% from beyond the arc as the Huskies struggled themselves to connect from the three-point line. Despite the lack of collective perimeter shooting, Gage Grassick would not allow Saskatchewan to falter, recording 11 of her game-high 25 points in the frame to maintain her team's lead.

Returning to the court for the third, the Huskies continued to flex their defensive prowess and forced UBC into four turnovers while continuing to chip away at the other end of the court. The third also saw Saskatchewan shift gears offensively, as the weight of production moved to Ella Murphy Wiebe and the Dogs' play in the paint. Murphy Wiebe recorded 10 of the Dogs' 17 points in frame while shooting 4-for-7 and drawing a pair of fouls. 

After stretching the lead to 12 heading into the fourth, the Huskies closed out the contest with their best quarter of the evening and totaled 20 points on their way to the win. Grassick and Murphy Wiebe combined for 15 as Saskatchewan shot 53% from the field and 2-for-3 from beyond the arc to secure a semifinal berth.

Finishing with the game-high, Grassick was 9-for-17 and added 4 rebounds and three steals. Murphy Wiebe would finish with 16 points and 8 rebounds while Andrea Dodig also proved key in Saskatchewan's inside game with 11 points and a team-high nine boards. Maya Flindall would also reach double-digits on a 50% shooting outing, recording 11.

Saskatchewan will now await the winner of the final quarterfinal game in the TMU Bold and Laval Rouge et Or. Regardless of opponent the Huskies' semifinal will tip off at 4:00 PM (CST) Saturday, March. Fans can watch live on CBCSports.ca, CBC Gem or the CBCSports Youtube Channels or listen at HuskieFAN.ca.