PRINCE GEORGE, B.C. - The Saskatchewan Huskies knew they missed some open shots on Friday night, and weren't about to let those open looks slip away an evening later. The Huskies shot the lights out, topping the UNBC Timberwolves 87-53, Saturday in Prince George.
The Timberwolves got off to a rocky start to open the game, not recording their first field goal until more than halfway through the quarter. The Huskies opened up a 15-4 lead, utilizing three-for-four shooting from beyond the arc. When the opening stanza was said and done, Saskatchewan led 21-10.
Megan Lindquist made both of her attempts from long-range in the quarter, and said shots were falling early for her team.
"We were sharing the ball and getting all our teammates good looks at open shots, she said. "We just found a rhythm."
Much of the second quarter looked identical to the first. UNBC struggled to get jumpers to fall, while the Huskies continued to hit from long range. The Saskatchewan advantage grew to 27 points at half, leading 44-17.
Needing a big second half, the TWolves had no luck converting on a number of attempts in the paint early in the quarter. The Huskie lead grew to 52-19 with guard Sabine Dukate finding success in the penetration game. The three-point prowess continued for Saskatchewan, converting 11 of 16 through thirty minutes. At the conclusion of the quarter, the visitors held a 72-36 lead.
"We had adjustments we knew we had to make from last night," said Lindquist. "We were really pushing the ball, and playing at a high tempo."
In the fourth quarter, the teams traded blows, with Dukate and Stacey Graham each making long three-pointers. But the Huskies continued to put on a long range clinic, finishing the game 13 of 21 from three-point land. Overall, they shot 56% from the field, and took the game 87-53.
UNBC coach Sergey Shchepotkin said Saskatchewan's shooting was the difference.
"That's a National Championship calibre squad, and they can shoot the ball. Yesterday, they didn't make some of those, but today, you saw what happened."
The Huskies improve to 15-5, while the Timberwolves slip to 6-14. However, UNBC can qualify for the Canada West playoffs if Alberta defeats Lethbridge on Sunday, February 12th.
"I don't like that we have to rely on another team to lose, but it does show we are growing as a program," remarked Shcheptokin. "It is exciting, though I wish we didn't have to wait."