Tanner Michalenko, Saskatchewan Sports Information Student Assistant
SASKATOON – The No. 6 ranked University of Saskatchewan Huskies got back in the win column Saturday night on Ron & Jane Centre Court at the PAC, taking down the Trinity Western University Spartans 82-64.
The Huskie defence closed its clamps in the second half as Saskatchewan avenged the one-point, 69-68, loss suffered a night earlier. The Huskies have not been swept since November 11-12, 2016.
The win improves Saskatchewan to 14-2, while the Spartans drop to 12-4.
Third-year guard Sabine Dukate led the Huskies with 21 points, five rebounds and four assists. Second-year Summer Masikewich was a force at centre for the Huskies, recording 19 points and six rebounds.
For the Spartans, fourth-year Tessa Ratzlaff tied Dukates' point total with 21, while adding eight rebounds and two assists. Third-year Kayla Gordon had 16 points, two rebounds and an assist.
The Spartans only led once after Ratzlaff recorded the opening bucket in the first half. Saskatchewan had a 20-16 lead after the first and a 41-37 lead at halftime.
In the second half, the Huskie defence caused seven Spartans turnovers. They were able to translate the defence into offence going to the free-throw line 18 times in the second half. Saskatchewan had the 62-50 lead after third quarters.
Trinity Western shot 42% on 60 attempts from the field, while the Huskies shot 40% on 63 attempts. The Huskies also controlled the glass on both ends with 40 rebounds to the Spartans' 26.
Next weekend, the Huskies visit Brandon University to battle the Bobcats. The Spartans will return home to host on the Thompson Rivers University WolfPack.