By: Daniel Herrick, Huskie Athletics
SASKATOON, SASK. - The University of Saskatchewan Huskies got back in the win column with a 72-62 win over the University of Alberta Pandas Saturday night on Ron and Jane Graham Court at the PAC in Saskatoon.
The No. 9 ranked team in the country improved to 13-5 Saturday night with the win over the Pandas, who now drop to 15-3. The win comes with great importance as the two teams are neck and neck in the RPI standings used to determine the seeding for the Canada West playoffs.
The Huskies came into the night second in the RPI standings after leading the pack for the previous two weekends. Regina held a slim lead over Saskatchewan with Alberta close behind in third as the teams jockey for top seed down the stretch.
Sabine Dukate led all Huskie scorers with 20 points on Saturday night. Megan Lindquist added another 15 points on 6-of-9 shooting to go along with her team-high six rebounds before fouling out late in the fourth quarter. Madeline Humbert came off the bench and knocked down all three of her attempts from beyond the arc, scoring 11 points in 17 minutes.
Just as she did on Friday, Maddie Rogers was the night's leading scorer with 23 points. Rogers finished 10-of-18 from the floor for the Pandas. Shay Crisp grabbed a team-high seven rebounds in addition to her seven points.
The Pandas held a slight shooting advantage over Saskatchewan in the game finishing at 45.3 percent to the Huskies' 42.6 percent, but Alberta could not overcome its 27 turnovers committed in the game. Saskatchewan did a much better job protecting the ball, committing only 14 turnovers.
The Huskies were able to get out to a quick start on Saturday night, up 8-2 in the early minutes and held a 20-16 advantage after 10 minutes. Alberta was able to tie it up at 21 before the Huskies put together a strong finish to the half to lead 37-26.
The Huskies maintained that double digit advantage in the third quarter growing the lead to 17 three minutes into the fourth. The Pandas weren't ready to roll over, going on a 19-6 over the next six minutes. The run cut the deficit to four points before Saskatchewan was able to ice the game down the stretch securing the 10-point win.
Next up for the Huskies is a trip to Prince George, B.C. to take on the UNBC Timberwolves next weekend closing out the Canada West regular season. Alberta will host the Lethbridge Pronghorns next Saturday and Sunday to finish its schedule.