Women's basketball takes series lead with Game 1 win over Wesmen

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Tanner Michalenko, Saskatchewan Sports Information Student Assistant 

SASKATOON – A huge burst in the second half of Game 1 in a Canada West best-of-three quarter-final series propelled the No. 7 ranked University of Saskatchewan Huskies over the University of Winnipeg Wesmen 76-58 Thursday night on Ron & Jane Graham Centre Court at the PAC.

Dead-even at the half after low-scoring first and second quarters, the Huskies finally had shots start to fall in the second half.

Fifth-year Megan Lindquist started the scoring for Saskatchewan after the halftime break, sparking a 10-0 Huskie run. Summer Masikewich capped the run off with a basket plus the free-throw make after she was fouled. The Huskies took a five-point lead into the final quarter.

Dukate hit back-to-back three point makes to start the fourth quarter, followed by a Megan Ahlstrom hit from the beyond the arc. It extended the Huskies' lead to 12 with seven minutes remaining. Lindquist, Ahlstrom and Dukate would all knock down three-point shots in the final minutes to seal the 76-58 victory.

The Huskies held Winnipeg to no more than 15 points per quarter and didn't allow a three-point make from the Wesmen, going 0-10.

Masikewich led the Huskies with a double-double at 19 points and 12 rebounds.  Dukate finished with 15 points, three assists and three rebounds. Ahlstrom and Lindquist both finished with 14 points each.

Canada West leading scorer Antoinette Miller finished with a game-high 24 points and six rebounds. Faith Hezekiah added 14 points and seven rebounds for the Wesmen.

Tipoff on Game 2 is at 7 p.m. Friday night, while Game 3, if needed, will be played Saturday at 7 p.m.