VICTORIA – The University of Victoria Vikes emerged victorious once again, defeating the UBC Thunderbirds 96-89 to sweep the weekend at CARSA Performance Gym. The T-Birds suffer their first two losses in Canada West play against a Vikes team who improved to 9-1.
Trading baskets to start the game, the Vikes would hold a small 10-8 lead over the Thunderbirds at the first timeout with just under five minutes to play in the opening frame. UVic would continue to build its edge, going up 28-12 with a minute to go. A three from
Grant Audu in the final seconds made the score 28-15 in favour of the home side through 10 minutes of play.
The Vikes would hold a steady lead throughout the second quarter and reach the 20 point-mark on a three-pointer by Matthew Ellis, 47-27. The Vikes would head into halftime up 54-32.
A bucket from
Sukhman Sandhu, a three from Audu, and a midrange
Brian Wallack jumper helped to open the third quarter on a 7-2 run. Victoria would then score six unanswered points to bring their lead back to 75-52 with less than a minute to go, eventually finishing the quarter at 77-54.
The T-Birds began their comeback through defence, holding UVic scoreless for nearly three minutes. UBC cut the deficit to ten with back-to-back threes from
James Woods and Sandhu to make the score 83-73.
Woods would make one last push, knocking down a three then snatching a steal for an easy two to pull within six, 95-89 with 34 seconds to play. That would be the closest point of the game for the 'Birds, who were eventually outlasted 96-89.
Dominick Oliveri recorded a 16 point 10 rebound double-double for the Vikes while Ellis inserted posted 20 points alongside three assists.
Woods drained four three-pointers on his way to a team-high 34 points. Sandhu and Audu each added double-digit figures with 18 and 14 respectively.
Next up:
The T-Birds welcome the Fraser Valley Cascades inside War Memorial Gym for an 8 p.m. (PT) tip-off on Friday, February 11th. FVU holds a 8-5 record after their most recent defeat.
