VICTORIA – The UVic Vikes tied the game with about a minute left but fell 86-84 to the Trinity Western Spartans in a game that featured eight ties and four lead changes.
The Spartans shot over 63% from the field in the opening half, and over 50 % in the game, and led by as much as 11 in their victory to improve to 13-2. The Vikes fall to 7-6.
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Jacob Doerksen led the Spartans with 23 points and 11 rebounds along with three assists, two blocks and three steals.
#Ryan MacKinnon# of Comox, B.C., was the leading Vikes scorer with 20 points and five rebounds. #Marco Dolcetti# of Vernon, B.C., added 17 points and six rebounds and was a momentum changer with several fast-break layups to lift a boisterous, pro-Vikes crowd to their feet at McKinnon Gym.
“We had to play from behind against a good team and you have to play perfect to come back,” said Vikes head coach Craig Beaucamp. “We cannot give up 86 points and be successful… and I did not think we contested enough shots. They had too many open looks.”
#Mike Berg# of Burnaby, B.C., was terrific down the stretch scoring back-to-back baskets in the final 90 seconds to tie the game at 84.
But junior guard Tristan Smith of Los Angeles hit a shot with just under two seconds left for the win.
Berg missed at the buzzer, catching a rebound and putting up a desperation shot in a wild final two seconds but the ball sailed wide.
“Technically, I thought we were OK tonight,” Beaucamp said. “I told the guys not to hang their heads leaving the room, but at the same time not to settle for being close.”
The Vikes held a 36-31 edge on the boards, but were outdone on three-point shooting with the Spartans outscoring the Vikes 24-12 from beyond the arc in the first half alone, 30-15 in the game.
The teams meet again on Saturday Jan. 8 at McKinnon Gym at 7 p.m.
WHITE SPOT PLAYER OF THE GAME:
Marco Dolcetti, Guard, Vernon, B.C., 17 pts., 6 rebounds, 1 block, 1 steal, 1 assist
