The Manitoba Colleges Athletic Association begins an interlocking schedule with the Northern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (NIAC), which included:
Red River College (Winnipeg, Manitoba)
Canadian Mennonite University (Winnipeg, Manitoba)
Providence University College (Otterburne, Manitoba)
Association Free Lutheran Bible School Crusaders (Plymouth, Minnesota)
Cankdeska Cikana Community College (Fort Totten, North Dakota)
Leech Lake Tribal College Lakers (Cass Lake, Minnesota)
Oak Hills Christian College (Bemidji, Minnesota)
Trinity Bible College (Ellendale, North Dakota)
Turtle Mountain Community College (Belcourt, North Dakota)
Sisseton Wahpeton College (Agency Village, South Dakota)
NIAC final standings: Sisseton Wahpeton (12-0); Trinity Bible College (9-3); Canadian Mennonite (8-4); Red River (7-5); Providence University College (7-5); Turtle Mountain CC (6-6); Leech Lake Tribal College (6-6); Cankdeska Cikana CC (3-9); Association Free Lutheran Bible School (2-10); Oak Hills Christian (0-12)
In the MCAC final (featuring the highest two Manitoba teams in the NIAC standings, the Canadian Mennonite Blazers dispatched the Red River Rebels 70-55. The Blazers led 15-9 after one quarter but Rebel point guard Zera Lynn Panesa began attacking off the dribble to rallied the Rebels to within 32-30 at the half. The Blazers took command in the second half by shutting down the perimeter. “We really tried to take them away from shooting threes (in the second half,” said Blazers coach Joe Di Curzio told the MCAC. “They were unbelievable, so we just tried to make it tougher for them to shoot.” The Blazers shifted to a full-court trapping defence that slowed Panesa, and began taking advantage of their superior length and height. Rookie Reserve Shirliz Apiyo nailed back-to-back treys as the Blazers pulled away. Their long arms disrupted passing lanes while their height gave them a big advantage in the paint. On the offensive end, first-year guard Shirliz Apiyo (11 points) provided a spark off the bench, hitting back to back threes just minutes into her first shift of the second half. “Shirliz came in and was unbelievable for us,” said Di Curzio. “She was absolutely spectacular.” Meanwhile, point guard and game MVP Jessica Marx-Houndle began to assert herself on both ends of the floor. “We’re a great group of girls,” said Marx-Houndle, “we’re all really close this year so that definitely helped us on the court. … When the buzzer went off, I was still nervous,” said Marx-Houndle. “Is this real? Is this happening?” Caitlin Fennel led the Blazers with 13. Kiara Rongavilla added 12, Shirliz Apiyo 11, Julia Schatkowsky 9, along with 8 boards and Marx-Houndle 9, along with 8 boards and 4 assists. Zera Lynn Panesa led the Rebels with 30.
In the NIAC quarterfinals, the 4th-seeded Red River Rebels dispatched the 5th-seeded Providence University College Pilots 61-52. Zera Panesa led the Rebels with 13 points and 4 boards. Taylor Goodbrandson led the Pilots with 15, along with 5 boards and 4 assists.
The 3rd-seeded Canadian Mennonite Crusaders dusted the 6th-seeded Turtle Mountain CC Mighty Mickinocks 81-55.
The 2nd-seeded Trinity Bible College clipped 7th-seeded Leech Lake Tribal College 63-53.
In the last quarterfinal, top-seeded Sisseton Wahpeton whipped 8th-seeded Cankdeska Cikana CC 106-34.
In the semis, 3rd-seeded Canadian Mennonite dumped 2nd-seeded Trinity Bible 69-53.
In the other semi, the top-seeded Sisseton Wahpeton Mustangs spanked the 4th-seeded Red River Rebels 74-57. Lacey Finbogason led the Rebels with 15.
In the final, the top-seeded Sisseton Wahpeton edged the Canadian Mennonite Blazers 88-86 in overtime.
The MCAC bronze medalist Providence University College Pilots: Katelin Thiessen; Kiara Foster; Joanne Schwarz; Taylor Goodbrandson; Alison Zajac; Hannah Van Schie; Alena Collier; Tate Kushnir; Frances Lerma; Marissa Nociar; Esther Ruchegeza; Spencer Kushnir; coach Joel Coursey; assistant Joey Traa; assistant Isabella Selk; therapist Erin Rempel; therapist Laura Imhoff
The runner-up Red River Rebels: Helena Stanicevic; Lacey Finnbogason; Jodene Kowalchuk; Alyshia Da Silva; Laura Alkana; Tiara Cruz; Janelle Pierre-Folster; Robelie Aaron; Brita Enns-Kutcy; Raven Boulanger; Zera Lyn Panesa; Susanna Namgung;
The MCAC champion (and NIAC runner-up) Canadian Mennonite Blazers: Aimee Garland; Chelsey Olifirowich; Kiara Rongavilla; Megan Thiessen; Julia Schatkowsky; Jessica Marx-Houndle; Shirliz Apiyo; Vanessa Millions; Carley Matkowski; Caitlin Fennell; Moira Kennedy; coach Joe DiCurzio; assistant Mike Wilson; assistant Sheree Carmona-Galdamez; assistant Marijus Timmerman; assistant Cassie Wiebe; manager Carole Dupuis