The U of S Huskies women's basketball team beat the UBC Thunderbirds 71-59 in the Canada West final on March 8, 2025 in Saskatoon. (Will Mandzuk/650CKOM)

By Will Mandzuk - CKOM News

Best in the West

P.A.’s Grassick nets 31 points to lead Huskies women’s basketball team to 10th Canada West title

Mar 9, 2025 | 10:00 AM

It’s been a storybook season for the University of Saskatchewan Huskies women’s basketball team and it was capped off with a 10th Canada West title on Saturday.

When the Huskies defeated the University of British Columbia Thunderbirds 71-59 at Saskatoon’s Physical Activity Complex it also marked a back-to-back Canada West title for the team.

The Huskies as they found themselves in an early hole down 18-13 at the end of the first quarter, but after a couple of key defensive stops, momentum shifted in the Huskies’ favour near the end of the second.

When the Dogs came out of the locker room to start the second half down 35-37 they looked possessed and ready to flip the game on its head.

U of S Huskie and Prince Albert’s Gage Grassick in action against Regina Cougars in Canada West women’s basketball action in Saskatoon on Feb. 8, 2025. (Electric Umbrella/Liam Richards)

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From that point it was all Huskies all the time, with Huskie point guard and Prince Albert’s own Gage Grassick taking control of the game, finishing the night with a game-high 31 points.

As the final seconds ticked off the clock, the 2475 fans in attendance almost blew the roof off.

Grassick said the win was surreal.

“The community of Saskatoon absolutely showed up for us today,” she said. “It’s an absolutely surreal feeling to be able to share that with my family.”

For Grassick it was a year riddled with achievement and accomplishments, as she was also named Canada West player of the year.

She said she can’t even begin to describe the type of year she’s had.

“You can’t really put words into it,” said Grassick. “To be able to share this with my friends and family is a really good feeling that you can’t describe.”

Grassick’s brother Ben played a big part in growing her love for the game of basketball.

“He was the guy getting me outside on the farm shooting hoops,” she said. “I used to hate basketball, so for him to shape my mentality into a sport that I now love.”

The season didn’t start the way the Huskies hoped, with the team dropping their first two games in Calgary, but after the opening weekend the Dogs would never be on the losing side of a game again.

Head Coach Lisa Thomaidis said it’s been an amazing season.

“I’m so proud of this group, especially with the way we did it tonight,” she said. “It wasn’t looking great in the first 20 minutes.”

Thomaidis said it was nice to win the title in front of the home fans.

“Last year we had to go away to B.C. and win it on someone else’s court,” she said. “It’s so nice to be at home (and) do it in front of these amazing fans.”

The Huskies now move on to the U Sports championship in Vancouver next weekend.

— with files by CKOM News