Jefferson Hagen
MacEwan Athletics

EDMONTON – The crowd was stunned at the Saville Centre as the 1-17 MacEwan Griffins held a 24-22 lead over the 16-2 Alberta Pandas with just over two minutes left in the first half after Unity Obasuyi hit a three-pointer.

By their records, few would have expected it, but the grit the Griffins regularly show that doesn't show up in the win column proved something to themselves and their opponents that they're a force to be reckoned with.

Eventually, the Pandas turned up the heat and scored an expected victory – 69-46 – but the U SPORTS No. 7 was pushed and needed to dig deeper than they thought they would against a Griffins team long eliminated from playoff contention.

"I thought we defended really tough in the first half," said Griffins head coach Katherine Adams. "We just defended well and we forced them into taking tough, contested shots. They didn't hit and we were able to use that get some defensive rebounds and fuel our transition game into offence. 

"We had some people make some plays and hit some shots at the other end that made it a pretty exciting first half."

Obasuyi led the Griffins with a game-high 19 points, adding six rebounds and three steals. Toni Gordon chipped in 12 points.

Unity Obasuyi hits a three-pointer that puts the @MacEwanGriffins ahead of #YEG rival Alberta late in the first half!#GriffNation pic.twitter.com/1M4hwVeYBm

— MacEwan Griffins Women's Basketball Team (@Griffins_WBB) February 15, 2025

Alberta saw three players in double digits: Annacy Palmer (18), Claire Signatovich (who had a double double with 14 points and 12 boards), and Reece Hall (12).

The difference in the contest occurred in the third quarter as Alberta broke open a 27-26 half-time lead, outscoring MacEwan 28-7 in a 10-minute stretch filled with Griffins turnovers.

"They turned up the pressure a little bit and we panicked under pressure a little bit," said Griffins head coach Katherine Adams. "They forced us into some turnovers. We had 38 turnovers in the game, which isn't something you're going to be super competitive with. 

"Even with that said, I thought we played a really solid three quarters. That one quarter, we certainly let things get away from us. That was the difference in the game. Other than that, a really solid three quarters and solid effort from our group."

The teams will play again on Saturday (5 p.m., Saville Centre, Canada West TV).