Huskies pull away from Varsity Blues
Huskies 87, Blues 78
The distance on the map proved to be much further than the distance on the scoreboard.
Things were all squared up after two quarters Thursday at the PAC as the visiting University of Toronto Varsity Blues were able to hang around for a 40-40 deadlock.
However, the host University of Saskatchewan Huskies took care of business in the second half on their way to a 87-78 Graham Shootout victory at the Physical Activity Complex.
Power forward Matt Forbes led the way with a game-high 21 points to go along with eight rebounds.
“I really thought that they took the game to us in the first half,” U of S coach Barry Rawlyk says. “Going into the second half, we said that we’ve got to start taking the game to them a little bit.”
Saskatchewan, now 5-1 for the season, meets the Bishop’s University Gaiters from Quebec in Friday’s late game at 8 p.m.
Toronto will play the University of Calgary Dinos in the early contest at 6 p.m.
In Thursday’s match, the Huskies pulled away in the third to get some much-needed breathing room, building up a lead of 12 points, with the score 61-49 at one juncture.
“The play of Matt Forbes was really essential for us,” Rawlyk says. “He came in and started to play a little more physical and set the tone.”
Ben Baker scored 18 points and had a game-high 12 boards for the Huskies, who led 18-14 after the opening quarter and 65-59 after three periods.
Newcomer Dadrian Collins added 13 points and eight rebounds for the Dogs. Saskatchewan, which held a 43-26 edge in rebounds, shot 51.6 per cent. Toronto hit 43.1 per cent.
Bishop’s 87, Calgary 77
In Thursday’s Graham Shootout opener, the Gaiters downed the Dinos 87-77.
Mike Andrews and Sage Holder tallied 17 points apiece for the Gaiters. Majid Naji added 12 points and six rebounds. Jaleel Webb had 10 points for Bishop’s.