Journal Staff
If the University of Saskatchewan Huskies are to win a women's basketball national championship this season, it's likely a product of John Thrasher's Northern Collegiate basketball pipeline will play an integral role in that success.
Laura Dally finished in the top five in overall scoring and three-point shooting in the Canada West Universities Athletic Association this season, and had the top free throw percentage at 87.1 per cent.
The six-foot guard led the second-ranked Huskies to an 18-2 record and a Pioneer Conference title this season, beating Regina in the conference-clinching game on the last day of the regular season.
She had 19 points and five assists in that victory and for her efforts the 23-year-old was named the Canada West First Star of the Week.
The fifth-year guard is in her final year of eligibility at the Saskatoon-based school after playing her first three seasons of university hoops for the University of Western Ontario Mustangs.
She started all 20 conference games for the Huskies this season, averaging more than 17 points per game, including a season-high 35-point performance in a rare loss to Regina last month.
It was the most points scored by one player in a Canada West women's contest since 2013.
Dally has hit for double figures in 12 consecutive games, dating back to late November and only twice this season has she been held to single digits in conference play.
The Huskies begin their quest for what they hope is a long post-season run by hosting a best-of-three quarter-final series this weekend.