Pandas, Huskies Set for No. 1 vs No. 2 Showdown at Saville

A combined 20-0 conference record. 33-0 across all competition this season. The top two scoring teams in Canada West. And the #1 and #2 ranked teams in U SPORTS Women’s Basketball. You couldn’t script a better start to 2026, as Pandas Basketball hosts the Saskatchewan Huskies this weekend at Saville Community Sports Centre. 

Tipoff on Friday is set for 6:00 p.m., with the rematch going Saturday at 5:00 p.m.

It has been almost twenty years since Edmonton has seen a game between the number one and two women’s basketball teams in the country. Pandas head coach Scott Edwards acknowledges that Saskatchewan is a formidable opponent, having won the U SPORTS Championship last year, and anticipates the Pandas hard work ethic to carry them through the upcoming game.

“We're going to be consistent in effort and our mental attitude. [Saskatchewan is] a very, very talented group and they know who they are. And so for us to beat them, we're going to have to play at our best as well.”

Edwards credits the team’s chemistry on and off the court for their stellar performance thus far in the season. Although the undefeated streak is a surprise, his expectations of the team’s performance is always high and he is enjoying their style of play, particularly from the veteran players. 

“I think they have a lot of experience. They've been in Nationals three years in a row, and they've been very successful over their careers so far and with a lot of those same athletes returning from some very successful seasons prior.”

Fifth-year guard Jayden Tanner describes the Pandas team dynamic as a genuine friendship. Their desire to spend time together off the court creates a rapport of trust that allows them to help each other on the court, particularly during hard days.

“I personally think a big standout to me was how dynamic we are and how many different people can step into different roles on each night. We don't need one person to do one job. It can change night to night. And especially getting into these tougher games, it's going to be important that if it's not somebody's night, it's somebody else's and we know that that person will step up.”

Scoring a career-high 14.0 points per game this season, Tanner has flourished in an elevated role in the Pandas offence. Not only is Tanner setting a new bar for herself in her fifth season, her scoring, shooting, and free throw rates all rank in the top 15 in Canada West. Her contribution to the offence makes her one of the veteran players Edwards holds in high regard. In addition to her performance on the court, she is also a leader within the team as one of the role models that the younger players look up to.

“I think the thing I brag about Jayden, when I talk to other athletes, [is] that she's so consistent in her work ethic and she's never less than the top three in work every day. That's a really good thing, and it says a lot about an individual that they can come on no matter how they're feeling [...] she always shows up. And I think that's what led her to a place where the team selected her as a captain a year ago and continues to be a leader because she's just very consistent for them in her effort, always unquestioned. And so they know they can trust her.”

Tanner prides herself in cultivating relationships with each player on the team. Her reasoning stems from what she experienced in her first year, where she would observe what her senior teammates were doing. She implemented the traits and skills she admired, and would lead by that example to the younger players.

“I think it's a really big group effort, with our team especially, we all know we have a responsibility to be examples and leaders to each other and hold each other accountable. I need people holding me accountable just as much as I need to put somebody else.”

By helping one another be the best player they can be on the court, the Pandas hoping a strong weekend against Saskatchewan can propel them towards their ultimate goal of more Canada West and U SPORTS banners. Their close knit bond on and off the court, in addition to their performance in games, has already demonstrated that they are a force to be reckoned with.