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Huskies season comes to end with 68-61 loss to Alberta
Posted: Mar 14, 2025

Huskies season comes to end with 68-61 loss to Alberta

Photos Results Box Score
Game Leaders
Alberta
Pts: 2 Players (#0, #16) - 15
Reb: Reece Hall - 12
Ast: 2 Players (#3, #13) - 4
Saint Mary's
Pts: Clara Gascoigne - 16
Reb: Lucina Beaumont - 11
Ast: 2 Players (#6, #8) - 3
Team Stats
Full stats

VANCOUVER, BC - The #8 seed Alberta Pandas defeated the #4 seed Saint Mary's Huskies 68-61 in the consolation semifinal of the 2025 INDOCHINO U SPORTS Women's Final 8 on Friday afternoon at War Memorial Gymnasium in Vancouver, BC.

The loss eliminates the Huskies from nationals, and brings the end to the career of seven outstanding student-athletes - Clara Gascoigne, Lucina Beaumont, Marlo Steenbakkers, Katelyn Power, Aki Kobayashi, Chloe Wilson and Aliyah Fraser.

"It's bittersweet, there were lots of tears in the locker room, but also a lot of love," said Clara Gascoigne in a post-game interview. "Obviously this wasn't the outcome we wanted, but it doesn't take away from the year that we had, and I'm so proud of this team for everything we accomplished this season."

The Pandas got off to a strong start led by all-star guard Annacy Palmer, who scored two quick jumpers to put Alberta up 5-0, before Huskies guard Aliyah Fraser responded with a three-pointer of her own.

After a defensive battle in the quarterfinal loss to the Thunderbirds on Thursday night, Saint Mary's offence was at a high level in the first half, with a bucket from forward Lucina Beaumont followed by three-pointers from wing Evie Hargraves and forward Chloe Wilson, opening up a 11-9 advantage early.

But Annacy Palmer responded once again, hitting three more of her eight first quarter points. On the other side, the Huskies received scoring output from six different players in the first quarter - but not their All-Canadian guard Clara Gascoigne, who stepped up her playmaking duties in the absence of senior point guard Aki Kobayashi. Gascoigne had three assists in the opening quarter, including connecting with forward Marlo Steenbakkers for a three-pointer, as the Pandas took a 27-22 lead after 10 minutes of play.

The Pandas grew their lead early in the second quarter, with back-to-back baskets from Palmers and Reece Hall putting them ahead 31-22. Forward Chloe Wilson scored a lay-in, but it was answered by another Hall lay-in, as the Alberta lead grew to 35-24. That's when Gascoigne took over as a scorer, as she hit a jump shot followed up by a three-pointer, part of a 9-0 Huskies run to finish the half, and cut the Pandas lead to 35-33 at the half.

The two teams continued to trade baskets to open the third quarter, with Chloe Wilson scoring a pair of baskets for the Huskies, before Aliyah Fraser hit a jumper and free-throw to tie the game at 42.

Fraser paced the Huskies with six third quarter points, but Palmer and Hall continued to shoulder the scoring load for the Pandas, combining for 10 in the frame. A Gascoigne three put the Huskies ahead 50-47, but Alberta answered with threes from Ella Rees and Jayden Tanner, and the Pandas took a 55-54 lead into the fourth quarter.

A lay-in from Gascoigne gave the Huskies a 56-55 lead with 8:06 remaining - unfortunately that would be the last lead of the game for Saint Mary's, as Alberta locked down defensively in the quarter, holding Saint Mary's to just seven points on 2/20 shooting from the field.

An and-one lay-in from Pandas centre Claire Signatovich put Alberta ahead 60-57. Gascoigne responded with two free-throws to cut the lead to 60-59, but a Jayden Tanner three, followed by two free-throws pushed Alberta's lead back up to 65-59. Alberta's defence held the Huskies without a point for nearly five minutes, before Gascoigne snapped the drought with a jumper with 19 seconds remaining, but it was too little too late as the buzzer sounded with the Pandas winning 68-61 to punch their ticket to Saturday's consolation final.

"They're a really talented team, they shot the ball really well today, it was a battle all game but it just didn't go our way down the stretch," explained Gascoigne post-game.

Forward Reece Hall was named Nike Player of the Game for the Pandas, stuffing the stat-sheet with 13 points, 12 rebounds, four asssists and four blocks. Alberta also received 15 points a piece from guards Annacy Palmer and Jayden Tanner.

Huskies guard Aliyah Fraser was named Nike Player of the Game scoring in 11 points and adding two assists and two steals in her final U SPORTS game. As expected, the Huskies were led by the senior core, with Gascoigne leading all scorers with 16 points, and forward Marlo Steenbakkers adding 10 off the bench.

"I know for us seniors, it was our last time playing together, so we obviously wanted to play hard and defend, but also make sure we had fun, and I think even though we lost today, we still had fun as a group," reflected Gascoigne - who was named U SPORTS Defensive Player of the Year and a First Team All-Canadian at Wednesday's Awards Banquet. "Four of us have been here for six years including the COVID season, so I feel like we've really gotten to grow together, not only as players but as friends."

"I have no regrets, and I'm really proud of our team," added Gascoigne. "I think for our younger players, it was a great experience for them to make Nationals and I hope they learned a lot and the program is in great hands going forward."

With the win, the Pandas advance to Saturday's consolation final, where they will take on the #7 seed Laval Rouge et Or at 3 p.m. PDT (7 p.m. ADT) at War Memorial Gymnasium.

The Huskies season comes to an end, but not before making some school history, with a 18-2 regular season record, many award winners and all-stars, and winning their third straight AUS Championship. We can't wait to welcome our devoted fans back to the Homburg Centre for a new era of Huskies women's basketball in 2025-26!

Recap by Allan April / Saint Mary's Huskies Athletics
 Photos by Jacob Mall / UBC Thunderbirds Athletics