By Canadian Press

A capsule look at the U Sports women’s basketball Final 8

Mar 12, 2025 | 9:26 AM

A capsule look at the eight teams competing in the U Sports women’s basketball Final 8 in Vancouver.

Teams are listed by seeding heading into the tournament, along with their respective regular-season records. The tournament runs from Thursday to Sunday.

1. Saskatchewan (18-2)

The Canada West champions enter the tournament as the No. 1 seed for the second year in a row. However, Saskatchewan will be looking for redemption after settling for silver in 2024, losing to Carleton. The Huskies, led by Canada West player of the year Gage Grassick, have made four of the last eight national championship games but haven’t won since 2020. They will open their title run against the Canada West bronze medallist Alberta Pandas.

2. Ottawa (19-3)

The Gee-Gees are riding high into the Final 8, having handed Carleton its first defeat of the season, topping the Ravens 70-61 in the Ontario University Athletics (OUA) title game on Saturday. Natsuki Szczokin, who was fifth in OUA scoring at 17.1 points per game, looks to lead Ottawa to its first-ever national title, beginning with a date with Laval.

3. Carleton (22-0)

The Ravens lost their top player to graduation in Kali Pocrnic, but remained atop the perch of U Sports women’s basketball for much of the year, earning their second undefeated regular season in program history. Guided by three-time OUA coach of the year Dani Sinclair and OUA first-team all-star Jacqueline Urban, the reigning two-time national champions are determined to reclaim the title after Ottawa halted their three-peat bid in the OUA. Carleton will begin its title defence against Bishop’s.

4. Saint Mary’s (18-2)

The Huskies accomplished quite the feat in earning a three-peat as Atlantic University Sport (AUS) champions. Now they will have to use that momentum to carry them forward into their first national title game since 2014, and their first national title in program history. Saint Mary’s is led by AUS MVP and three-time AUS defensive player of the year Clara Gascoigne, who averaged 15.6 points and 2.4 steals per game this season.

5. UBC (18-2)

The Thunderbirds are no slouches for hosts — they enter the tournament having had an impressive regular season followed by a silver-medal finish in the Canada West playoffs. Boasting Canada West first-team all-star Mona Berlitz and Canada West rookie of the year Keira Daly, who finished fourth and seventh in conference scoring, UBC will look to get another potential crack at Saskatchewan after opening against Saint Mary’s on the way to the final.

6. Bishop’s (11-5)

The RSEQ champions aim to return to the national finals for the first time since four straight appearances from 1981 to 1984, which included back-to-back titles in 1983 and 1984. Led by Victoria Gauna (14.9 points, 9.2 rebounds per game), Bishop’s looks to pull off an upset against the powerhouse Ravens.

7. Laval (14-2)

The Rouge et Or fell short of a conference title, losing 56-50 to Bishop’s on March 1, but still have a shot at the biggest prize at the Final 8. Laval is chasing its first national title and fourth final appearance of the 2000s, most recently finishing as runner-up to McMaster in 2019 after previous trips in 2002 and 2017.

8. Alberta (18-2)

The Pandas received the host berth, with the host Thunderbirds entering the event as conference finalists. Alberta enters the Final 8 aiming to be the Cinderella story and capture its first national title since 2007 and third overall. Led by first-team all-star Annnacy Palmer and three-time Canada West Defensive Player of the Year Claire Signatovich, they seek their first win of the season over Saskatchewan on Thursday.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 12, 2025.

Abdulhamid Ibrahim, The Canadian Press