VICTORIA – A night after coming so close to knocking of the nation's No. 7 ranked team, the UVic Vikes fell just short in another thrilling game, falling 75-64 to the Trinity Western Spartans at the Ken & Kathy Shields Court at McKinnon Gym on Jan. 8.
HTML BOX SCORE
With the loss, the Vikes fall to 7-7, while Trinity Western improves to 14-2.
Jacob Doerksen of Abbotsford, B.C., a fifth-year phenom forward, led the Spartans with 27 points and seven rebounds in an entertaining, back-and-forth game. Tristan Smith of Los Angeles added 14 points and four assists for Trinity Western.
Michael Berg of Burnaby, B.C., led the Vikes with 21 points and 12 rebounds, with many honourable mentions.
Next, the Vikes travel to face the Winnipeg Wesmen (2-10) on Jan. 14 and 15 in Winnipeg. The next Vikes home games are on Jan. 21 at 8 p.m. and Jan. 22 at 7 p.m., when UVic hosts the Lethbridge Pronghorns.
UVic played a strong first half and made several runs. Their heart and determination was never an issue. But the Spartans got the rolls and the lucky bounces and were hot at key times to take control. Their larges lead of 16 points came in the third quarter and they never looked back.
#Wendell Thomas# worked hard to get the ball in the post, but Doerksen's defensive play made it difficult for him to score. He was held to one point and three rebounds on the night.
However, balanced scoring from several others helped the Vikes to stay close, led by Berg in the paint and #Ryan MacKinnon# of Comox, B.C. who finished with 10 points.
The Vikes hit just one three-point attempt in the second half on 12 tries and only mustered six rebounds on the offensive glass.
However, their bench outscored the Spartans bench 25-11 in a game with many runs for each team.
The Spartans led 35-28 at the half and outscored UVic 19-11 in the third quarter to develop a comfortable cushion.
UVic had a great fourth quarter, putting up 26 points and finishing with a strong final five minutes with great defensive rebounding and excellent fast-break rushes.
#Jeff Cullen# of Victoria was most effective in the fourth quarter scoring eight of his nine points off the bench in the final 10 minutes, including two off steals he created in Trinity Western's back court.
UVic White Spot Player of the Game – Mike Berg, 21 pts, 12 reb
