USask Huskies Women’s Basketball Team Honoured in Saskatchewan Legislative Assembly

The University of Saskatchewan Huskies women’s basketball team was formally recognized in the Saskatchewan Legislative Assembly on April 22, 2026, following their historic U SPORTS National Championship victory. The celebration came after the team defeated the two-time defending champions, the Carleton University Ravens, by a score of 85–66 in the national final held on March 16, 2025.

This triumph marked the Huskies’ first national title since 2020 and served as a decisive reversal of their 70–67 loss to Carleton in the previous year’s championship game. Head coach Lisa Thomaidis was highlighted for her leadership throughout the tournament, with her guidance credited for restoring the team’s competitive edge after the prior year’s setback.

The victory was built on strong defensive execution and efficient shooting, as Saskatchewan shot over 40 percent from all areas of the court although limiting Carleton’s offensive opportunities. Key contributions came from players such as Gage Grassick, who provided critical scoring and playmaking, including two free throws to close the first quarter and a late-half assist to Courtney Primeau that extended the Huskies’ lead to 45–31 at halftime.

Kyana-Jade Poulin and Téa DeMong as well played significant roles, with Poulin hitting a key three-pointer and DeMong driving effectively to the basket to maintain Saskatchewan’s momentum. The team’s ability to respond to Carleton’s early surges — including an initial lead by Teresa Donato — demonstrated their resilience and tactical discipline.

The legislative recognition underscores the broader impact of the Huskies’ achievement, not only as a sporting milestone but as a source of provincial pride. U SPORTS, the governing body for university athletics in Canada, oversees the national championship in which the Huskies competed as members of the Canada West Regional Association.

This celebration in the Legislative Assembly reflects the enduring success of the University of Saskatchewan’s athletics program, which has represented the institution in inter-university competition since 1911 and currently fields 15 varsity teams across multiple sports.