VICTORIA - The Fraser Valley Cascades overcame a 23-point deficit to stun the UVic Vikes men's basketball team 79-77 on Saturday night in McKinnon Gym.

BOXSCORE

Led by Zeon Gray and Kyle Grewal, Fraser Valley rallied in the second half to out-score the Vikes 51-20 in the final two frames. Gray netted 16 of his game-high 23 points in the second half, while Grewal netted nine points in the fourth quarter alone, and finished with 17.

Fraser Valley's first lead of the game came with just 40 seconds remaining, as forward James Elliot scored on a put-back. The basket erased a 23-point deficit as the Cascades trailed 53-30 at the onset of the third quarter.

"We're obviously pretty disappointed. Any time you have that kind of lead you have to find a way to finish it out," said Vikes head coach #Craig Beaucamp#. "You have to give them a little credit they didn't quit and hit some big shots down the stretch."

The Vikes managed to hold for final possession but last night's hero, #Jeff Cullen#, had his pull-up jumper rim out - almost an identical shot to Friday night's game-winner. Cullen shared the Vikes scoring high with #Pierce Anderson#, both totaling 14 points.

#Ryan MacKinnon# also added 12 points and forward #Wendell Thomas# contributed 10. Overall, the Vikes shot 52 percent from the field, but struggled to capitalize on their trips to the line, making just 9-18.

The loss drops the Vikes record to 8-7, and puts their playoff hopes in precarious position. UVic has three games remaining, with two of those scheduled for next weekend, February 5-6 versus the no. 1 ranked UBC Thunderbirds. The Vikes will then return home to face no. 7 Simon Fraser on February 13th.