Fort McMurray, Alta. (March 1, 2024) - SAIT Trojans 83 Keyano Huskies 93

There will be a new champion in ACAC Men's Basketball in 2024 after the Keyano Huskies defeated the SAIT Trojans 93-83 in front of a boisterous home crowd at the Syncrude Sport & Wellness Centre in Fort McMurray, Alta. Friday.

Using their patented formula, the Huskies kept a tight leap up until the half, burst the game open in the third quarter, and went nearly shot-for-shot with their opponent to whittle down the clock in the fourth quarter. 

"It doesn't mean anything," Head Coach Jeremy Wielenga said of the win in regards to finally topping the Trojans. "The whole SAIT-Keyano thing, we've always produced instant classics in games, but it's never been about that. It's about winning an ACAC title and we have a shot again to do it tomorrow." 

The Huskies' leader in the first quarter was Keenan Miller, who had seven of the Huskies' 19 points to begin the game as the home side built up an early four-point lead. 

While the Huskies pushed their lead up to eight in the second quarter, a game that was 32-24 quickly became 38-37 in a span of just more than two minutes as the talent for both sides was showcased. Marcus Masters was the source for the spark in SAIT's second-quarter push, scoring 10 of his 27 points in the quarter. 

The third quarter was where the Huskies found their success once again. Omeechi Williams and DJ Haynes each made a pair of three-point shots and Evan Meyer dominated down low with eight points to mark a 29-point quarter for the home side. 

However, the game was far from done. The Trojans pushed back in quarter four with 28 points of their own as Masters, Akoi Yuot, and Kuol Kuol did all the scoring for the visiting Trojans. It wasn't until a layup from Meyer with 3:52 to go in the fourth that the Huskies pulled ahead for good, showcasing how tough it was to put away the six-time defending champions and national champions. 

"It was tough," Wielenga said of SAIT's comeback bid. "Trying to put them away, they're the six-time defending champs and they were laying it on the line.

"We showed some nerves and we didn't really handle it as well as we could've. It's just about winning and surviving and advancing so here we are." 

The Huskies' win sets up a Gold Medal match against the St. Mary's University Lightning Saturday at 6:00pm. Wielenga knew his side would be in for another tough battle. 

"It's going to be to be a real tough test," he admitted. "Caleb and Brock are great competitors, it's a couple of the best players in the country, and we've got to find a way to stop them."

Players of the Game:
SAIT Trojans | #9 Akoi Yuot
Keyano Huskies | #17 Evan Meyer