The University of Alberta Pandas defeated the University of Saskatchewan Huskies women’s basketball team 67-58 Friday night at the PAC in Saskatoon.
It was a tight match all the way through. The squads swapped leads back and forth until Alberta broke free from the Dogs late in the game.
The Pandas held a one-point lead at the end of the third quarter and scored first in the fourth frame. Alberta continued to put the pressure on from there, holding at least a two-point lead at all times during the last quarter.
Alberta’s Jessilyn Fairbanks iced the game in the dying seconds with a long three-point shot to give her side a 65-58 lead.
With the win, Alberta moves into a tie for third spot with the Huskies. Both teams hold an identical 13-8 record, giving tomorrow’s rematch and final game of the season even more importance for both squads.
The winning team will maintain third spot while the loser will settle for the fourth and final playoff position.
Anneka Bakker and Katie Arbuthnot led the charge for the Pandas with 12 points apiece, while Fairbanks led the squad in rebounds with five.
Dalyce Emmerson notched a double-double for the Dogs, scoring 17 points and picking up 13 rebounds. Kelsey Trulsrud added another 15 points and Kiera Lyons chipped in with 13 points on the night.
The two teams will meet again on Saturday, Feb. 16 at the PAC in each team’s final regular season game. Tipoff is 4 p.m.
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Photo: Raisa Pezderic/The Sheaf