WINNIPEG – Play in the paint was a major factor on Saturday night ay Investors Group Athletic Centre, as the Saskatchewan Huskies completed a two-game sweep of the Manitoba Bisons with an 80-51 win. The victory improves their record to 6-2, while Manitoba falls to 0-8, having played three nationally ranked opponents and the defending conference champion. 

The Huskies grabbed 56 boards, compared to 31 for Manitoba and got 48 points in the paint, compared to 26 for the Herd. 

Captain Lauren Bartlett put on a show for the hosts, going a perfect four-for-four from beyond the arc and racking up a solid stat line of 21, five and four. Huskies captain Carly Ahlstrom would go off all over the floor, picking up a quick 31, three and seven. 

"She's in that transition phase where she is going to be the go-to scorer," said Bisons Head Coach, Michele Sung, when asked about Lauren Bartlett's performance. "It's all about efficiency, as we saw she's handling it really well."   

The Bisons hunkered down in the first, hoping to stunt the Huskies' offensive momentum after their win over the Bisons last night. They played some spectacular help defence in the paint, making the Huskies settle for low-percentage shots from further out and picking up a couple of blocks early against the taller Huskies team. 

Their swarming defence caused some key turnovers in the half-court, which would be essential to stopping the Huskies from heating up. The Huskies fought through the pestering defence, however, making it 24-7 going into the second.  

The Huskies would continue to fight through the tough Bisons' defence, with Ahlstrom racking up nine, four and one going into the half. The play of 6'3" post Kyla Shand was also a factor. She was one of four players with at least five rebounds overall. 

Bartlett would continue to try and get the Bisons offence moving with some great ball movement and court vision, picking up six points and three assists, as the Huskies led the Bisons up 42-17 going into the half. 

Manitoba would begin to get moving coming out of the half, only being outscored by one point – with some great team-first ball movement that gained them some easy buckets off backdoor cuts and rolls to the basket. 

Bartlett would continue to heat up, hitting two huge deep threes, while long-time teammate Emily Johnson made some great cuts, and finished with 12 points overall. The Huskies wouldn't cave, as Ahlstrom kept the offence firing, going into the fourth up 66-39. 

The Huskies would pull away with it in the fourth as both teams brought in their benches. Despite some crafty ball movement to get shooters open for the Bisons, the Huskies would go on to win the game.