The University of Victoria Vikes basketball teams are in a must-win situation this weekend in Kelowna for different reasons.

With an 11-3 record, the men have clinched a Canada West playoff spot, but if they win their remaining four games, UVic will finish first and have home-court advantage.

The women have a 6-8 record and must sweep the UBC-Okanagan Heat to keep their playoffs hopes alive. The first games are tonight.

"We are in a do-or-die situation and it is time to play our best basketball of the season,'' said UVic veteran Cassandra Goodis. "We have been working on defence these last two weeks [UVic had a bye last week] and not turning the ball over. Our team can score and we just have to start getting more stops on defence. If we can shut down other teams, there isn't anyone that we can't beat. We have to transfer what we have been doing in practice to the games.''

The Vikes are trying to catch 8-7 Trinity Western for the third playoff spot in the division. UBC leads the way at 12-2, while Fraser Valley is second at 10-5.

"Somehow, we have to win a couple of basketball games this weekend,'' said UVic coach Rich Chambers. "Right now, we still determine our own fate. If we win our remaining four games, we are in the playoffs.''

Veteran guard Debbie Yeboah leads the Vikes in scoring, averaging 14.9 points per game, followed by Jessica Renfrew (11.4), Chelsea McMullen (11.2) and Goodis (10.9). UBC-O is on a seven-game losing skid and they have a 2-12 record. Roslyn Huber (12.8) and Madison Kaneda (11.1) are their two scoring threats.

The UVic men have also been stressing defence in practices.

"We have had some very competitive practices to the point of almost getting into fights,'' said UVic veteran Zac Andrus. "At this point of the season, it always come down to defensive play. Our goal is to be perfect the rest of the way.''

Like the women, the UBC-O men are 2-12 and out of the playoff picture. The brightest light for the Heat has been Yassine Ghomari, who averages 18 points per contest.

All season, the Vikes have been led by Ryan MacKinnon (20.1) and Michael Acheampong (13.9). Andrus has also chipped in with 12.4 per game.

rrauch@timescolonist.com