Tanner Michalenko, Saskatchewan Sports Information Student Assistant
SASKATOON – The University of Saskatchewan Huskies won their fourth game in a row defeating the Trinity Western University Spartans 97-71 Friday night on Ron & Jan Graham Centre Court at the PAC.
On home court for the first time in 2018, the Huskies' offence exploded to put up a season-high 97 points. The win improves Saskatchewan to 6-9, while the Spartans drop to 1-14.
Fourth-year Lawrence Moore led all scorers with 28 points, three rebounds and a game-high seven assists. Moore also chipped in on the defensive side of the court with four steals and two blocks. Third-year JT Robinson gave the Huskies a spark off the bench with 26 points, four rebounds and four assists. Fourth-year Joseph Barker recorded a double-double with 16 points and 13 rebounds.
For the Spartans, second-year Pogos Trunyan had a team-high 19 points, five assists and four rebounds. Fourth-year Tee Maberry added nine points and eight rebounds
Five three-point sinks in the first quarter set up the Huskies for success in the opening half. Robinson and fifth-year guard Alex Unruh each hit a three late in the quarter to close the first on 8-2 Huskie run.
Up 28-16 after the first, three-point success continued to fuel Saskatchewan's offence. The Huskies would make four in the quarter, totalling nine in the first half out of 13 in the game. Huskies took a 52-32 lead into halftime.
In the third, fourth-year Vartan Tanielian made two three-point shots early on in the lone quarter that the Spartans would outscore Saskatchewan. Just as the Spartans looked to cut the Huskie lead even further, Moore stepped up to record Saskatchewan's final eight points of the quarter to set up a 73-56 lead.
Eight straight points from Robinson in the middle of the fourth quarter was the insurance Saskatchewan needed to seal the victory, 97-71.
The Spartans shot 45% on 62 shots, while Saskatchewan shot 53% on 72 shots. The Huskies also outrebounded Trinity Western 41-22, and dished out 17 assists to the Spartans' 12.
These teams will meet again Saturday night. Tipoff slated for 8 p.m.