Perfect again. The #1 seed Canadian Mennonite University (CMU) Blazers completed another undefeated season finishing with a fifth consecutive Manitoba Colleges Athletic Conference (MCAC) Women’s Basketball Championship title in front of a packed Loewen Athletic Centre in Winnipeg..
The host CMU defeated the #2 seed Providence University College (PUC) Pilots by a score of 73-48 on Sunday, February 12, 2023 in the Championship Final.
With the victory, the Blazers extend their championship dynasty run as they have now won the last five MCAC championships (2018-23) and since 1999-2000, eighth overall (2006-07, 2007-08, 2009-10, 2017-18, 2018-19, 2019-20, 2021-22, 2022-23).
A back-and-forth first half had PUC lead 19-18 after the first ten minutes with the Blazers finding their shot more in the second and take a slim 34-31 lead into half.
The game changed in the second half as the Blazers only allowed 17 points in the second half as they pulled away and did not allow CMU to score for almost four minutes in the fourth to close out the championship.
CMU ends with a 8-0 regular season record and a Championship win plus the joy of another MCAC trophy. “PUC played well and we stepped up our defence in the second half and made it harder on them,“ exclaimed CMU’s head coach Joe Di Curzio. “It is a blessing to have won five in a row with all the players and assistant coaches who helped along the way.”
Player of the Game for the Championship Final was fourth year guard Anna Pyne. She had game-high 18 points and been part of four winning championship teams and stated, “This is a huge accomplishment as we have been great on and off the court with our chemistry and team bonding. We know PUC is a great and so we are. It is special cause we have a rivalry with them and compete with the best and came up on top.”
PUC’s head coach Joel Coursey commented, “They are a great team and we knew it was possible to play with them and win the game. We are in year one of building and look forward to next season.”
2023 MCAC Women’s Basketball Championship
Hosted by: Canadian Mennonite University (CMU); Central Time listed
Friday, February 10
6 p.m.Semi Final: #2 PUC Pilots 125 #3 USB Les Rouges 40
Sunday, February 12
6 p.m.Women’s Championship Final: #1 CMU Blazers 73 #2 PUC Pilots 48