SASKATOON, Sask. - The University of Saskatchewan Huskies narrowly fell to the visiting MacEwan Griffins in their season opener Friday night (Oct. 24), dropping a tightly contested 82–80 decision.
Saskatchewan entered the 2025–26 opener ranked No. 11 in the Canada West Coaches Poll, but it was the No. 17 Griffins who came away with the win thanks to an efficient shooting performance. MacEwan shot 45.1% from the field and went 8-for-18 from beyond the arc over four quarters of play.
Conversely, the Huskies finished the night shooting 41.7% from the field and struggled from long range, hitting just six of 21 three-point attempts. Ultimately, the difference may have come at the free-throw line, where Saskatchewan converted only 50% of its 28 attempts compared to 76.9% for MacEwan.
As both teams settled into their 2025–26 campaigns, the opening quarter was tightly contested. The Griffins came out hot from deep, connecting on three of their first five three-point tries. Despite shooting just 38.9% from the field, the Huskies matched MacEwan's pace to close the first ten minutes tied 21–21.
In the second quarter, MacEwan found its rhythm offensively, sinking a pair of threes and shooting 47.6% from the floor. Dami Osuma led the charge, going perfect from both the field and beyond the arc, tallying eight points along with two rebounds and two steals. Osuma finished the game with 11 points, tying teammate Diego Presingular for second in team scoring, while Elisha Ampofo paced the Griffins with 14. The visitors outscored the Huskies 27–19 in the frame to take a 48–40 lead into halftime.
Trailing by eight, Saskatchewan turned to first-year forward
Mohamed Mahadhi to spark a comeback in the third. Despite the Huskies shooting just 8-for-20 from the field and 1-for-5 from three, the Central Wyoming College transfer poured in ten points in the quarter, including a pair of triples, helping the Huskies cut the deficit to 66–62 heading into the fourth. Mahadhi finished his Huskies debut as the game's second-leading scorer with 19 points, behind only Thimm's game-high 21.
Both teams tightened up defensively in the final frame, combining for just one three-pointer each in the last ten minutes. Down three with under 20 seconds remaining, Saskatchewan's
Dylan Miller attempted to end the Huskies' cold streak from distance, but his shot fell short, resulting in a Griffins foul that sent Thimm to the line. Thimm made his first free throw and intentionally missed his second, hoping for a rebound and put-back, but MacEwan's defense boxed out the 6-foot-10 forward to seal the 82–80 victory.
The Huskies will look to bounce back and even the weekend series against the Griffins tomorrow night (Oct. 25). Tip-off is set for 7:00 p.m. at the Physical Activity Complex.
