Quarter-final: Saskatchewan 58 Laurier 51
(Saskatchewan advances to semifinals)
WINDSOR, Ont. (CIS) – The second-seeded Saskatchewan Huskies got all they could handle from the No. 7 Wilfrid Laurier Golden Hawks in the second quarter-final matchup of the CIS women’s basketball Final 8 but still managed a 58-51 win on Friday at the University of Windsor’s St. Denis Centre.
With the victory, Canada West champion Saskatchewan extended its overall winning streak to 28 games dating back to a 72-65 conference loss to Victoria on Oct. 30.
The Huskies, who reached the CIS podium for the first time in program history a year ago in Hamilton with a third-place finish, hope to keep the Bronze Baby Trophy out West for the 20th consecutive season. They are the only Canada West representatives in Windsor.
Saskatchewan will face sixth-ranked St. Francis Xavier in Saturday’s early semifinal at 6:00 p.m. EDT (6:00 p.m. MDT).
The Huskies opened the game with an 11-0 run and were leading 23-12 after the first quarter, 39-27 at the half and 47-40 after 30 minutes but the Hawks hung in there and cut the deficit to two points (51-49) with 2:40 remaining in the contest thanks to a bucket by freshman Felicia Mazerolle.
“It was a tough game. We knew Laurier had a very good team and were confident coming off their big win over Regina in the Regionals,” said Saskatchewan sideline boss Lisa Thomaidis, who was named CIS coach of the year prior to the tournament. “It was a battle total. I thought we didn’t play our best basketball but we’re off to the semis.”
A foursome of fifth-year seniors paced the winners. Forward Marci Kiselyk of Athabasca, Alta., led the way with 15 points, while player of the game Jill Humbert of Saskatoon had 13. Humbert played a well-rounded game adding seven assists, three blocks and two steals.
Canada West MVP Kim Tulloch of Regina, with 12, and Jana Spindler of Port Williams, N.S., with 10, also scored in double figures for Saskatchewan.
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