Huskies inch closer to playoff spot

by Nicole Betker, USask Sports Information

SASKATOON - The University of Saskatchewan Huskies are just one win away from clinching a coveted trip to the postseason after a big 115-72 victory over the visiting Manitoba Bisons Sunday night at the PAC in Saskatoon.

With the win the Huskies move to 10-6 on the season and sit in second place in the Canada West Prairie Division. A single win would allow them to finish no worse than fourth - the final playoff spot in the division. The loss drops the Bisons to 4-13.

Saskatchewan seemed to find the net on almost everything they threw up shooting 60.5%. Turnovers cost Manitoba. The Huskies scored 32 points from the Bisons' 27 turnovers in the game. The Bisons shot 41.1%. The Huskies also beat Manitoba on the boards snaring 37 rebounds to the Bisons' 26.

By the mid-point of the first quarter, Saskatchewan had an 11 point lead at 20-9. Earlier in the frame, Manitoba was able to keep the game close scoring on nearly every trip down the court and were down by just one at 10-9. But strong defense by the Huskies and good three-point shooting by Troy Gottselig and Showron Glover moved the Huskies to the large lead. At the end of the first quarter, the Huskies had nearly doubled up the Bisons at 30-16.

The Huskies held Manitoba to just 15 points in the second quarter and scored 27 of their own. They continued to pour the ball in the basket in the third scoring 33 and another 25 in the fourth quarter. The Bisons did play a stronger game in the second half but the 41 points scored weren't enough to close the large lead built by the Huskies in the first half.

Once again Canada West leading scorer Glover shone in the game scoring 37 points for the Huskies. In the 101-66 win a night earlier, Glover scored the first-ever University of Saskatchewan triple double with 31 points, 11 rebounds and 12 assists. Michael Linklater was also strong for the Huskies adding 22 points and a Huskie all-time most 10 steals in the game. Gottselig also netted 19 for the Huskies. Glover also had a game-high nine rebounds.

Three Bisons were in double digits on the night. Sean Maxwell led his team with 23 points, followed by Nathan Dixon with 16 and Eric Garcia with 15.

The Huskies remain at home to host the University of Lethbridge Pronghorns next weekend, while Manitoba returns home to host the University of Alberta.