The University of Victoria Vikes broke open a tight game in the fourth quarter with an 88-80 Canada West men’s basketball victory over the University of British Columbia-Okanagan Heat on Saturday night at CARSA gymnasium.
Winless UBC-Okanagan (0-4) led 45-44 at the half and 60-58 following three quarters as UVic moved to 3-1.
Shooting-guard Diego Maffia went on a 35-point tear on Friday night in UVic’s 80-66 victory over UBC-Okanagan. Forwards Dom Oliveri and Matthew Ellis scored 14 points each and guard Scott Kellum 11.
In women’s hoops Saturday, UBC-Okanagan recorded an 80-75 victory over UVic as both clubs went to 2-2 in conference. Sophomore standout Tana Pankratz scored 20 points for the Vikes while veterans Ashlyn Day had 16, Calli McMillan 14 and Aleah Ashlee 10. Surprise Munie led UBC-Okanagan with 20. UBC-O led 39-33 at the half with the team deadlocked 55-55 after the third quarter.
UVic got 27 points from Day, 18 from Pankratz and 14 from Sierra Reisig as the Vikes opened the weekend home set with an 84-73 victory Friday night.
Both Vikes squads are at the Langley Events Centre next Friday and Saturday to take on their Trinity Western Spartans counterparts.
VIKES SOCCER: The UVic Vikes blanked the Fraser Valley Cascades 5-0 in the Canada West men’s soccer playoff semifinals Saturday in Calgary on goals by Isaac Koch, Ian Whibley, Jose Sagaste, Trey Ference and Sergio Duran. Harjot Nijjar recorded the clean sheet.
The UBC Thunderbirds upset the top-ranked Mount Royal Cougars 1-0 in the other semifinal.
The Vikes and Thunderbirds will meet in the conference final today with both clubs advancing to the U Sports national championship tournament this month in Ottawa.
