Women's Basketball Huskies split first home weekend against Queens, Broncos
The Keyano Huskies Women’s Basketball team dealt with an up and down weekend in their first home games of the 2024-25 season, splitting a pair of results against the South Division.
While their 3-1 record has them second in the Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference’s (ACAC) North Division, there’s a torn feeling of letting a result like Thursday’s loss slip away like it did to rebounding with a strong performance in Friday’s win.
“It was a tough weekend,” Head Coach Dwyane Vigilance said following Friday’s 76-49 win against the Olds College Broncos. “Tough loss [Thursday] to Red Deer, but a really good bounce-back for our kids today.”
A 75-58 loss to the Red Deer Polytechnic Queens Thursday began the weekend. It was the first half that did the Huskies in, with the Queens outscoring their hosts 41-16. Though the Huskies won the second half by eight points, it wasn’t enough to overcome the deficit. Maja Besic led the way with 30 points and 19 rebounds, a new career high for points in a single game for the fifth year from Pancevo, Serbia.
“I think my team did a pretty decent job,” Besic said Friday. “The first game, we started a little bit slow. After that we did pick it up. It was just a little bit late for us. Friday, I think my team showed up, showed how we are playing in our house and I’m really proud of them.”
“The leadership that she brings is tremendous for us,” added Vigilance.
The team’s new group of rookies also continued to provide an extra edge for the team, though there are still learning moments for them as a group. Thursday, the team’s five rookies combined for four of the Huskies’ seven points off the bench, making two of nine shots from the field.
Friday, Sarah Luger started for the Huskies and poured in nine points, an early career-high for the Redwater, Alta. rookie, as part of 13 points from the team’s rookies. Sixteen total points off the bench also alleviated some of the ask from the team’s starters.
“It’s a tough balance,” Vigilance acknowledged. “Sometimes I feel our freshmen aren’t ready, but sometimes you have to throw them into the fire and see what happens.
“We’re trying to get a balance and play our freshmen a little more. Sometimes they’re going to make mistakes and we have to live with those.”
Besic was also encouraged by the team’s rookie class.
“I’m really proud of them. Especially Grace [Naherniak] today; amazing job for her.
“Amazing job for other rookies as well. I hope they keep up with that.”
Tucker, Twin continue to shine bright for Huskies
Kaylynn Tucker and Jaylynn Twin continued to play big roles for the Huskies. Tucker had 32 points and 13 rebounds over the pair of games.
Twin saw her streak of double-digit point games end at two Thursday but picked right back up on Friday with 12 points to give her a weekend total of 17, adding 12 rebounds to her totals as well.
Huskies prepare for trip to Stampede City
The Huskies will face a pair of South Division opponents in the Ambrose University Lions (1-2) and St. Mary’s University Lightning (3-0) this coming weekend in Calgary.
Tip-off is scheduled for 6:00pm both nights in Calgary. The games can be watched live on ACAC TV and Telus Optik 1998.