HUSKIES HOOPS SQUAD FINISHES IN STYLE.
Team claims top spot for first time
Huskies 110, Cougars 70
Duncan Jones was not going to miss this for anything.
“Definitely not,” said the graduating fifth-year University of Saskatchewan shooting guard, who returned to the lineup Saturday just in time for the final Canada West regular-season game of his career after missing a handful of games due to a nagging hip injury.
“You only get one seniors’ night, so it was a special night,” added Jones. “I definitely wanted to play out here.”
Jones delivered and led his team with 20 points, hitting four three-pointers along the way, as the U of S Huskies hammered their provincial rival University of Regina Cougars 110-70 late Saturday night before a crowd of 1,608 fans at the PAC.
More importantly, the Dogs finished first overall in the Canada West standings for the first time in school history.
“I mean, first time in school history? That’s another record that we can add,” said Jones, a 6-foot-4 engineering student from Calgary. “It’s a team sport and we just want to win championships, but those things really make it special.”
Placing first overall earns the Huskies the right to host the Canada West Final Four, should they win their quarter-final series. They’ll now play host to the Trinity Western University Spartans in Canada West quarter-final action this weekend at the PAC.
The best-of-three series runs Friday, Saturday and, if necessary, Sunday at 8 p.m. at the PAC.
“Any time you set a goal in pre-season and you’re able to attain it, it’s something to celebrate,” said U of S head coach Barry Rawlyk. “We feel very good about having secured first overall in the conference. The fact that it’s a first for the program is a nice icing on the cake, so to speak.”
Saskatchewan, ranked No. 3 in the nation, finished the season at 16-4 to stand alone atop the Canada West standings. In 1987, the Huskies shared the pennant title with the UBC Thunderbirds and Alberta Golden Bears after they all finished 7-3 in the season.
The Huskies are on a roll, having now won 10 games in a row.
They also extend a home winning steak to 20 games and are 42-5 overall in the PAC over the past three seasons.
Saskatchewan has now won 13 straight against Regina, including a sweep in the playoffs last season.
Jamelle Barrett had 20 points, six assists and two steals Saturday. Peter Lomuro added 14 points, four assists and three steals. Chris Unsworth, Andrew Henry and Matt Forbes also reached double digits to help, while Jones made his February debut.
“I wanted to get ... the rust off before playoffs,” said Jones, who missed four games in January. “I wanted to get one game under my belt and see how it felt. It felt really nice tonight, so it was good. (U of S physiotherapist) Rhonda (Shishkin) has been taking really good care of me.”
The Huskies’ starting lineup featured four fifth-years in Jones, Unsworth, Lomuro and Michael Lieffers, who had seven rebounds and six points.
“Coach (Rawlyk) really touched all the guys with his (pre-game ceremony) speeches,” noted Jones.
“Me and Lief (Lieffers) were both kind of unscouted and we kind of came in here together. It’s really nice to finish my career with him. I love the guy. He’s an incredible basketball player and we wouldn’t have done anything in the past few years without him, and Chris (Unsworth). Peter (Lomuro) has been such a great addition to this team.
“I couldn’t ask for a better group of guys to finish my career with.”
Vule Grujic led the Cougars with 19 points. Paul Gareau added a double-double, recording 12 points and a game-high 10 rebounds for Regina, which failed to make the playoffs with a 5-15 record.
It was a slow start for the Huskies, who had numerous early misses, and the Cougars were quick to gain the upper hand. Saskatch- ewan eventually found the basket to lead 30-19 by the end of the period and 55-33 at halftime.
The Huskies out-scored the Cougars 30-17 in the third quarter to put it out of reach.