Perfection. The #1 seed Canadian Mennonite University (CMU) Blazers completed an undefeated season capped by another Championship title.
CMU defeated host and the #2 seed Providence University College (PUC) Pilots by a score of 79-57 on Friday, March 4, 2022 at the 2022 MCAC Women’s Basketball Championship Final.
With the win, the Blazers extend their championship dynasty run as they have now won the last four MCAC championships (2018-22) and fourth year players Shirliz Apiyo and Championship MVP of the Game Julia Schatkowsky have been part of all four titles.
“It was great to come back after COVID and win this fourth time with Shirliz,” Schatkowsky commented after the victory. “It was a great way to end this season and could not think of better way to end our MCAC careers.”
Schatkowsky finished with a game-high 19 points along with seven assists and six board while Apiyo wasn’t far behind with 16 points and a double-double with ten rebounds. Maizy Lawson also had 11 points for CMU.
This game was close throughout as PUC would not let CMU pull away after three quarters as they closed the gap to only 12 points just past the midway of the fourth. The Blazers put the clamps on defence and opened up the margin with a couple key 3 point plays to stop any momentum of a comeback and secure the winning result.
PUC’s head coach Joel Coursey stated, “The team did everything I asked of them and they just ran out of gas. I am proud of the effort and they peaked today with this game.”
CMU ends with a 12-0 regular season record and a Championship win plus smiles all around. “We pride ourselves on our defence and we put in the effort to get the stops when needed and played great down the stretch, “ enthused CMU’s head coach Joe Di Curzio. “And what a way for both Julia and Shirilz to finish with quite the amazing record and career as they drove this team.”
For PUC, Player of the Game was Trinity Blair with 12 rebounds and points while Natalya Reimer added a team-high 14 points and Megan Wiebe with 12 points.
2022 MCAC Women’s Basketball Championship in Niverville, MB
Thursday, March 3 (all times are Central Time)
6 p.m. Semi-Final: #2 PUC Pilots 67 #3 USB Les Rouges 49
Friday, March 4
6 p.m. Women’s Basketball Championship Final - #1 CMU Blazers 79 vs. #2 PUC Pilots 57