Huskie Women's Basketball Season Hangs in Balance After Shocking Playoff Defeat
The University of Saskatchewan Huskies women's basketball team's remarkable 51-game winning streak came to a dramatic end at the worst possible moment, casting their national championship aspirations into uncertainty following a weekend upset in the Canada West playoffs.
Calgary Dinos Deliver Crushing Blow in Tight Contest
In a tense Saturday evening matchup that saw momentum swing back and forth throughout the game, the Calgary Dinos managed to secure a narrow 61-58 victory over the previously undefeated Huskies. The loss snapped Saskatchewan's impressive win streak and eliminated them from immediate Canada West championship contention.
The game remained fiercely competitive until the final moments. Early in the fourth quarter, Saskatchewan—who completed a perfect 20-0 regular season—briefly held a one-point lead at 48-47 following a free throw from Andrea Dodig. However, Calgary's Christine Geraldo responded just eight seconds later with a crucial two-pointer that put the Dinos ahead for good.
Dodig led all scorers with 16 points in the losing effort, while Geraldo and teammate Amelie Collin each contributed 15 points for the Dinos, who finished their regular season with a strong 16-4 record.
National Championship Hopes Still Alive Through At-Large Berth
Despite the disappointing loss, the Huskies' season may not be over yet. Both the UBC Thunderbirds—who defeated Regina 74-68 on Friday—and the Calgary Dinos have secured automatic berths to the U Sports Championship. However, a third opportunity exists through the U Sports at-large berth, which could potentially extend Saskatchewan's campaign.
The Huskies now face an anxious waiting period to learn whether they will receive this coveted at-large invitation to nationals, keeping their championship dreams alive despite the weekend setback.
Conference Honors Recognize Huskie Talent
In related basketball news, Canada West announced its all-star teams with three Huskies earning recognition for their outstanding performances throughout the season. On the women's side, Gage Grassick received first team honors, while Maya Flindall was named to the second team. Easton Thimm earned second team recognition on the men's side.
Huskie Women's Track and Field Team Continues Dominance
While basketball faced disappointment, the Saskatchewan Huskies women's track and field program celebrated continued success, capturing their eighth consecutive Canada West championship title.
The team delivered a dominant 186-point performance, powered by seven gold medal victories. Individual champions included Nicole Ostertag in the 60-meter hurdles, Hailee Woodhouse in the 300-meter race, Hannah Hagerty in the long jump, Kailee Woitas in the 60-meter dash, and Olamide Olaloku in the triple jump. The Huskies also claimed gold in both the 4×200-meter and 4×400-meter relay events.
Record-Breaking Performances Highlight Championship Meet
The championship meet featured several historic performances from Huskie athletes. Ostertag set a new Canada West record with her time of 8.07 seconds in the 60-meter hurdles, while Olaloku broke a conference record with her triple jump distance of 12.73 meters. Hagerty established a new program record with her long jump of 6.30 meters.
The 4×200-meter relay team of Grace Igbiki, Selena Keyowski, Emma Egert, and Hailee Woodhouse delivered perhaps the most impressive performance of the weekend, breaking both conference and Canadian records with their time of 1:35.75.
On the men's side, the Huskies finished fourth overall with 103 points, earning gold medals from Nathan Pinno in shot put, Liam Oster in the 60-meter hurdles, and Ashwin Witt in pole vault.
