Pilots Close Regular Season With A Win

(NIVERVILLE, MB) - The Providence Pilots closed out their 2023-24 MCAC Basketball season with a 79-22 win over St. Boniface University Les Rouges. The Pilots recognized their two graduating seniors Kate Hanson (Rosthern, SK) and Anna Cushon (Oxbow, SK) who are set to graduate later this spring.
The Pilots would get off to a red-hot start to open the game, outscoring Les Rouges 31-7 at the end of the first quarter. The Pilots wouldn’t hold back in the second quarter either, extending the lead to 38 points and leading 51-13 at the halfway point of the game. The Pilots wouldn’t eclipse a 20-point quarter but kept Les Rouges scoring to a minimum. A 57-point margin kept a firm victory in favor of the Pilots as they improved to 6-2 for the 2023-24 MCAC Season.
The Pilots were led by Grace Kitenge (Montreal, QB) who shot 3-for-4 from behind the three-point line. Claire Grislis (Winnipeg, MB) shot 4-for-11 from the three-point line and amassed 16 points for the Pilots. Ultimately, the Pilots found themselves guided to victory by rookie Sydney Last (Carman, MB) who recorded a game high 17 points. Notably, Pilots graduating forward Anna Cushon would hit 400 career rebounds as she closes the chapter in her collegiate
basketball career.
The Pilots will take this victory over Les Rouges and apply it to MCAC semifinal action as they are set to face Les Rouges to decide who will face the five-time defending MCAC champions. An 18-year MCAC championship drought gives the Pilots a lot to push for. Their last championship of any kind came back in 2019 when they won the NIAC championship. Head coach Joel Coursey has built a new program for the Pilots and transitioned into system basketball. Constantly substituting and having fresh players on can make it tough for the other team, but the tall task is in check. The Canadian Mennonite University Blazers stand at the top of the MCAC standings. MCAC Basketball playoffs in making its way to St. Boniface University on March 1.