On Sunday afternoon at the Doug Mitchell Thunderbird Sports Centre, the University of Saskatchewan Huskies pulled off an 85–66 revenge win over Carleton University Ravens to win their first national title since 2020.
In a thrilling rematch of last year’s national championship, when Saskatchewan lost 70–67 to Carleton, the Huskies dominated defensively and created problems for the Ravens. Ultimately, Carleton couldn’t connect at the net while Saskatchewan was over 40 per cent from everywhere.
“Our team was looking forward to this game,” said Saskatchewan head coach Lisa Thomaidis. “They wanted to get back out and prove that you know last year was not our best effort.”
The Ravens started the first quarter, holding pressure to grab offensive boards leading to a Tatyanna Burke layup. Logan Reider made a big impact for the Huskies in the first quarter on both ends of the court. Kyana-Jade Poulin responded with a three-pointer but Carleton still trailed until Teresa Donato gave the Ravens their first lead, 12–11, with an explosive layup. The Huskies regained the lead with two three-point plays and sharp defence. To end the first quarter, Gage Grassick made two free throws, extending the Huskies' lead to 24–16.
Saskatchewan kept their momentum in the second as Téa DeMong made a strong drive to the net. The Ravens, fighting the Huskies’ defensive pressure, made two strong offensive plays, closing the gap to 27–22. The Huskies immediately regained control with two consecutive Grassick three-pointers. In the last minute, Grassick drove into the paint and made a quick pass to Courtney Primeau under the net to score, putting the Huskies up 45–31 before halftime.
In the third quarter, the Huskies only improved as Grassick lit it up behind the arc, but Donato kept responding with her own three-pointers. Grassick was all over the court, making a steal before passing to DeMong, who flew down the court for the layup making the score 58–40. The Ravens capitalized off a Huskies’ offensive foul but Saskatchewan held onto their 15-point lead, ending the third, 63–48.
Donato made a big jumpshot to start the last quarter, the Ravens now trailing 63–50. Fighting the shot clock, Grassick banked a jumper in an offensive clinic. The Ravens fought to the end, but the Huskies wouldn’t budge as Grassick made another three-pointer, strengthening their lead to 76–62. In the last two minutes, Grassick headed to the line three times — earning six points — as the Saskatchewan fans in the stands chanted “MVP.”
The Huskies held the ball to end the game with a blowout 85–66 win, foiling Carleton’s chances to be three-peat national champions.
“They're the team that lots of people hold themselves as a standard to,” said Grassick. “To come out to compete in the way we did, I'm just so unbelievably proud of my teammates.”
Donato led the Ravens’ offence with 24 points. Grassick, tournament MVP, earned that honour for the Huskies with a career-high 35 points, 7 rebounds and 7 assists.
“It's what every athlete works towards at the end of the year,” said Grassick. “You always want to call yourself a national championship, and to do it with this group … is really inspiring.”
This article is part of our 2025 Final 8 coverage. Follow us at @UbysseySportson X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram, as well as @theubyssey on TikTok, to follow our U Sports basketball coverage starting March 12.
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