MacEwan Athletics
EDMONTON – With a young, emerging roster, the MacEwan Griffins women's basketball team enters the 2024-25 season looking to return to the post-season picture.
They'll have a chance to get started on the right foot when they host Mount Royal University to open the new campaign on Nov. 1-2 under a new divisional format that will focus on regional rivalries.
The Griffins wrap up the season on the road – across town – when they visit 2023-24 Canada West silver medalists Alberta at the Saville Centre on Feb. 14-15.
SEE THE FULL 2024-25 SCHEDULE HERE
"With a new schedule being introduced for the 2024-25 season, we are looking forward to our young roster developing some familiarity with the teams we'll continue to see year to year, and building those provincial and prairie rivalries," said Griffins head coach Katherine Adams.
A home highlight will be 'School Day' on Nov. 29 vs. Brandon when the Griffins will play at 12 p.m. in front of a full house of exuberant young fans from several schools across the city enjoying a field trip.
"Over the years we've had the opportunity to play in a handful of School Day games on the road," said Adams. "The stands are packed, the gym is loud, and the energy is infectious.
"We are thrilled to be able to experience this at home, and put on a great event for the community."
Other home highlights on the docket include hosting defending Canada West champion (and U SPORTS silver medalist) Saskatchewan (Jan. 31-Feb. 1) and Manitoba Feb. 7-8 for MacEwan's Senior Day weekend.
All home games are held in the David Atkinson Gym.
The Griffins will also face the other Canada West medalist when they travel to Abbotsford, B.C. to face 2023-24 bronze winners UFV on Jan. 24-25.
To make the post-season, the Griffins will need to finish among the top seven teams in the Prairie Division, who will join five playoff-bound teams from the B.C. Division.
Playoffs will revert back to a multi-site format in 2024-25, with all games hosted by the higher seed. Single elimination play-in games will take place Feb. 21 and 22, featuring No. 12 at No. 5, No. 11 at No. 6, No. 10 at No. 7 and No. 9 at No. 8.
Single elimination semifinals will take place Feb. 28/March 1, with a winner-takes-all final set for March 7 or 8.
The U SPORTS women's basketball championship will be in Vancouver March 13-16, hosted by UBC.