BRANDON, Man. – Fans would have expected the No. 1 ranked Saskatchewan Huskies to have no troubles on offence, but the real story from Friday's home-opener was their stifling defence.

The Huskies started the 2019-20 Canada West season in style by beating the host Brandon Bobcats 78-21 Friday night.

The reigning Canada West champions return a lot from last year's line-up, which they are crediting with this season's early success.

 "We didn't lose a lot of people from last year, so that definitely benefits us," says third-year forward Kyla Shand.

"We are just trying to come together and continue to push each other in every single practice and every single game and make each other better, no matter where are who we are against because that's what it's going to take in order for us to have a good season again."

Brandon got on the board with the game's first basket, but it was short-lived as the Huskies answered with an 11-0 run forcing BU to take an early time-out. That was just the beginning as the Huskies held the Bobcats scoreless in the second quarter and for most of the third.

The Huskies forced 22 turnovers in the first half for Brandon, effectively sealing the deal at the half-time break.

"We had some good spurts offensively and a few good spurts defensively, but that's not good enough to be for the whole game," said Brandon's fifth-year captain Logan Biccum.

 The Huskies had four players finish in double-figure scoring, led by Summer Masikewich's game-high 17 points. Shand was solid on both ends of the court, finishing with nine points, eight rebounds and six steals.

The two teams meet again in the second half of the weekend series on Saturday afternoon at the Brandon University Healthy Living Centre. Tip-off is scheduled for 5 pm.