Women's basketball suffers loss in final minute

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Tanner Michalenko, Saskatchewan Sports Information Student Assistant 

SASKATOON – Second-year guard Julia Marshall sunk a pressure-filled free throw with just eight seconds left to lift the Trinity Western University Spartans 69-68 over the No. 6 ranked University of Saskatchewan Huskies Friday night on Ron & Jane Graham Centre Court at the PAC. 

With just over four minutes remaining in the game, a 66-60 Huskie lead disappeared as third-year Spartan Sarah Buckingham would sink two three-point makes as part of an 8-0 Spartan run to force a Saskatchewan timeout with under a minute remaining.

Second-year Summer Masikewich tied the game up with a layup out of the timeout, shortly before committing a foul to put Marshall on the line. Marshall split the free throws, giving the Huskies a chance to win it with the final possession. But Masikewich's shot at the buzzer fell just short and the Spartans escaped with the win.

With the win, the Spartans improve to 12-3, while the Huskies drop to 13-2. The loss snapped a Huskies' five game winning streak. 

Third-year standout Sabine Dukate led all scorers with 22 points,two assists and two rebounds. Masikewich provided 13 points and seven rebounds.

Fifth-year Kayla Gordon led the Spartans with 19 points, seven rebounds and three steals. Buckingham would chip in with 14 points, three rebounds and three assists.   

Gordon & Buckingham blew up early in the third, recording 11 points in two and a half minutes to tie the game at 45. Fifth-year Madeline Humbert's free throw to end the quarter gave Saskatchewan a one-point lead heading into the fourth, 55-54.

The Spartans shot 43% from the field on 58 shots, while the Huskies shot 38% on 63 shots. Saskatchewan out-rebounded Trinity Western 36-30. 

These teams will meet again Saturday night. Tipoff is at 6:15 p.m.