The University of Victoria’s men’s and women’s basketball teams dug deep for two road wins each last weekend.
The Vikes continued their perfect start to 2017 with a big 75-52 win over the University of B.C. Okanagan Heat in Kelowna on Saturday night.
“It was a good all-around performance and a good team win,” said Vikes head coach Dani Sinclair. “We were able to get momentum right off the bat and we kept it throughout most of the game.”
Saturday’s score follows Friday’s 78-67 victory over the Heat, where the lead changed 19 times and the Vikes women rode a double-double from Nicole Karstein at the UBC Okanagan Gymnasium.
With the weekend wins, the Vikes improve their Canada West regular season record to 8-4 and have won four straight games.
Victoria had the better shooting night overall, finishing an impressive 55.2 per cent from the field.
Rebounding was again a difference maker in the game, as the Vikes pulled down 41 to the Heat’s 27.
“It’s nice when you can get that (balanced scoring),” said Sinclair. “It helps get people rest and it’s also just more fun as a team when you have multiple people contributing.”
As they had on Friday night, the Vikes were able to shut the Heat down late to deny any chance of a comeback. As a result, the Heat were only able to score once in the final five minutes, with Emma Johnson making a layup with just under a minute left.
Karstein led the Vikes offence, with a game-high 17 points. Jenna Bugiardini put up another 15 for the visitors, and finished just a rebound shy of a double-double. Jenna Krug also put up double digits, finishing with 12 points.
On the men’s side, the Vikes men won both weekend games against their UBC Okanagan Heat counterparts with scores of 75-65 Saturday and 81-46 Friday.
Grant Sitton led the Vikes scorers, finishing Saturday with a game-high 24 points. Justin Kinnear earned a double-double with 18 points and a game-high 10 rebounds. Taylor Montgomery-Stinson also finished in double digits, with 12 points.
On Friday, eight threes from Victoria freshman Scott Kellum powered the Vikes past the Heat, scoring 21 points by halftime.
Statistically, Saturday’s game was more evenly split than Friday. The Heat were out-rebounded 40-32, but finished ahead in assists, 13-9, and shot better from the field and from the free-throw line.
With the wins, the Vikes improve to 4-8 on the season.
Vikes next in action:
in Victoria Jan, 20 and 21 versus Lethbridge at CARSA. Info: www.govikesgo.com