Ravens Defend U Sports Women’s Basketball Crown with Victory Against Huskies
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By Heidi Specter
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Summary:
- Carleton Ravens won against the Saskatchewan Huskies with 70-67.
- The teams met at the Saville Centre in Edmonton during Sunday’s championship final.
- The Ravens led by coach Sinclair managed to preserve their U Sports women’s basketball title.
This Sunday, the second-seeded Carleton Ravens met the top-seeded Saskatchewan Huskies during the U Sports women’s basketball championship final held at the Saville Centre in Edmonton.
70-67 for Ravens
It was a thrilling game that ended up 70-67 for the Ravens led by Dani Sinclair who asked her girls not to allow any of the five Huskies on the floor to get a clean shot off and score a three-point, while the crew was defending their three-point lead with just one possession left
The Ravens knew exactly what they had to do. When the ball reached Husky Logan Reider, two Ravens quickly blanketed her, causing her to miss dramatically.
This way, the Ravens managed to defend their crown despite Saskatchewan’s Gabe Grassick incredible night. Grassick scored a record 30 points for her team, but it wasn’t enough.
Commenting after the game, Grassick refused to speak about her personal accomplishment, preferring to refer to “the team effort” and her teammates that she was proud of.
She was also not shy to recognize Carleton’s merit as a “great team”, adding “they’re defending national champions for a reason” while explaining they gave it their all but came up “just a bit short.”
“We Base Ourselves on Our Defence”
Couch Sinclair also praised Saskatchewan with special emphasis on Grassick who “did a great job” against the Ravens, getting them out of rotations while leaving many people open.
The final three minutes were decisive and Sinclair expressed pride for their performance and ability to defend themselves.
“We base ourselves on our defence,” he added.
Ravens guard Kali Pocrnic was named tournament MVP. “If I didn’t get it, I didn’t get it. It is what it is. I’m happy I got it, but at the end of the day, good for my team.”, she commented.
The championship final reunited the two dominant programs in women’s basketball in the past decade, accounting for four national championships throughout the past seven years. Will the Ravens make it three in a row in 2025? Checkout the latest odds right here.
