Courtesy: Wray Morrison

By Wray Morrison

A banner win

The Huskies claim 2022 Canada West women’s basketball title

Mar 19, 2022 | 11:06 PM

“To win five (Canada West) championships in six years is mind blowing to me.” That was the synopsis from Huskies women’s basketball head coach Lisa Thomaidis following the Huskies 68-59 win over the Winnipeg Wesmen in the conference title game on Saturday night. The Wesmen, who like the Huskies finished the Canada West season with a 14 and 2 record, jumped out to a 19-8 lead late in the first quarter. 5^th year guard Faith Hezekiah was sensational in the early going for Winnipeg with 8 points in the first 10 minutes of the contest.

Inspired by over 17 hundred fans, Saskatchewan didn’t panic. The Huskies rallied, going on an 8 point run the cut Winnipeg’s lead to 19-18. Huskies 3^rd year guard Carly Ahlstrom hit a big three point shot as the first half buzzer sounded, helping the home team to a 28-26 lead at the break. That was the first of many big shots to come for Ahlstrom.

With the game tied at 30 in the third quarter, Ahlstrom hit another three point shot with 7 minutes left to go as the teams traded the lead. Wesmen 4^th year guard Kyanna Giles was strong in the third, going 4 for 5 from the field and making good on two free throws.

Winnipeg opened up a four point lead early in the fourth quarter, but the Huskies rallied to take a 52-50 lead. Saskatchewan then took control on a key sequence with 5 minutes to go. After guard Libby Epoch made a great pass inside to forward Summer Masikewich, the Huskies then forced a turnover. Ahlstrom made yet another big three point shot, and the Huskies led 57-50. The Wesmen did not regain the lead for the rest of the contest. “Those were huge,” Thomaidis said. “We got some key stops and cleaned up the defensive glass, and frustrated them at the offensive end.”

Ahlstrom led all scorers with 22 points, but was quick to credit her teammates for her success. Especially the 5th year players such as Epoch and Masikewich. “I play with an amazing group of players, and they draw a lot of attention on defense,” said Ahlstrom.

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Asked to put her five year career in to words after her final home game at the PAC, Masikewich said “I’m just so thankful to the Huskie women’s basketball program, all the alumni, my Huskie teammates. I’ll forever cherish this.” Epoch, who also graduates at the end of the season, echoed those thoughts. “Unreal! Amazing! I could not be more thankful. And we aren’t done yet.”

Both the Huskies and Wesmen now compete at the USports 2022 Women’s Final 8 in Kingston ON, March 31^st to April 3^rd.

Regina dominated Lethbridge 92-60 in the bronze medal game at the PAC on Saturday.

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The Huskies men’s basketball team earned a bronze medal at the Canada West championships in Edmonton, defeating Regina 97-93 in overtime on Saturday night. Marquavian Stephens had 29 points for the Huskies. With the win Saskatchewan advances to the USports 2022 Men’s Final 8 in Edmonton March 31^st to April 3^rd.

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wray.morrison@pattisonmedia.com

Twitter: @wraymorrison