By: Matt Packwood, Brandon University Athletics
BRANDON – The Brandon Bobcats started on the right foot but the #7 nationally-ranked Saskatchewan Huskies raced to a 79-61 win Friday night at the BU Healthy Living Centre.
In an emotional affair, being the final home game for six Bobcats, the Huskies proved they have the national tournament in their sights by forcing 24 turnovers and doubling the number of steals the Bobcats had, finishing with 14.
The Bobcats started five seniors in Mikaela Stanton, Kinsley Ransom, Stephanie Hunter, Amy Williams and Keegan Robinson, and the starters managed to keep pace for the first quarter.
Ransom hit a three with 3:00 minutes left in the first that charged the Bobcats, then a three from Adrianna Proulx tied it 9-9.
Brandon shot the ball better in the first than the Huskies, who were 0-for-6 in the first. The dogs did manage to hit nine free throws to take a lead into the second.
Stanton then hit at three just under two minutes into the second quarter to give BU their first lead at 14-13.
The Huskies answered back with a 10-2 run at that point before out-scoring the Bobcats 25-12 in the second quarter to take a 15-point lead into the half-time break.
The second half saw Brandon put up a 16-6 run to conclude the third quarter but the closest the 'Cats got was an 11-point deficit at 58-47.
Summer Masikewich had a game-high 23 points in 24 minutes of action for the Huskies, while Megan Ahlstrom had a double-double with 14 points and 10 rebounds. Sabine Dukate had 11 points and seven assists as well as three stels.
The Bobcats were led by Keisha Cox's team-high 18 points while Lauren Anderson had 13 points and seven rebounds off the bench.
The win moves Saskatchewan's record to 16-2 while Brandon falls to 2-16.
Up next for the Huskies is a tough test as they play the top team in the conference and provincial rival Regina Cougars, but will enjoy home court advantage.
The Bobcats conclude their Canada West conference season on the road against the Thompson Rivers WolfPack.