CALGARY – The University of Saskatchewan Huskies built a 22-point lead before holding off a late push from the University of Calgary Dinos men's basketball team to secure a 85-75 victory Saturday night at Jack Simpson Gymnasium.
The result split the weekend series and left both teams at 1-1 to open the season, after Calgary won 84-73 on Friday night. It was the Dinos' first loss to Saskatchewan since Oct. 16, 2021.
Despite the setback, Dinos head coach Dan Vanhooren emphasized the importance of learning from the loss as the team continues to develop.
"While we're frustrated with a loss, I think we continue to learn, and as long as we continue to learn and get better each week, then we'll still be tough," Vanhooren said.
Saskatchewan came out strong, opening up a 14-6 lead in the first quarter before rookie Zane MacFarlane responded with back-to-back three-pointers to even the score at 14-14. MacFarlane poured in 10 points in the opening frame, helping Calgary briefly take the lead before the Huskies closed the quarter ahead 18-17.
The Huskies caught fire from beyond the arc in the second quarter, knocking down six of their eight three-point attempts to fuel a 29-18 frame and take a 47-35 advantage into halftime. Saskatchewan continued to build its lead in the third, stretching it to as many as 22 points at 73-51 late in the quarter.
Moe Osman led the Huskies with 19 points, while Easton Thimm recorded a 17-point, 16-rebound double-double. Jalen Glenn also chipped in 17 points.
Calgary refused to go quietly, turning in a strong fourth quarter and outscoring Saskatchewan 19-12 to cut into the deficit. Daniel Chijioke paced the Dinos with 25 points and five blocks, going 9-of-10 from the free-throw line, while MacFarlane added 22 points.
With a young roster gaining valuable experience early in the season, Vanhooren believes the minutes his younger players are receiving will pay dividends as the campaign progresses.
"A lot of our young guys are getting a lot of minutes, and that's gonna advance their growth," he said. "So if we do need them later on in the season, they're more prepared."
Vanhooren also highlighted the importance of building resilience through the challenges of a long season. "For them to learn that character part about going from one sort of problem to another with enthusiasm, I think is really something that this group will grow with," he said.
The Dinos will return to action Friday, Nov. 6, when they travel across the city to face the Mount Royal University Cougars at 8 p.m. The game will be available live on Canada West TV powered by BioSteel.
Saskatchewan will also be back in action Friday, Nov. 6, when it hosts the University of Manitoba Bisons.
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