VICTORIA – #Sarah Semeniuk# scored 12 second-half points to help the UVic Vikes women's basketball team to complete the sweep of the Trinity Western Spartans with a 61-57 win at McKinnon Gymnasium on Jan. 8.
With the win, the No. 4 nationally ranked Vikes improve to 11-3 while the Spartans fall to 1-15.
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Semeniuk, a native of Fruitvale, B.C., led the host Vikes with 18 points and 14 rebounds, including five on the offensive glass.
Turnovers cost the Spartans dearly, as their 30 giveaways allowed the Vikes to score 28 points. UVic also held the scoring advantage in the paint with a 32-20 edge.
Emily Knauff's game-high 23 points and 11 rebounds led the Spartans, while Corina Reimer of Abbotsford, B.C., added 13 boards.
Vikes head coach Brian Cheng said he was pleased with the Vikes play at times, but said the inconsistency will need to be addressed in practice this week as the Vikes prepare for a trip to Winnipeg to face the Winnipeg Wesmen (10-2) Jan. 14 and 15.
“We have to go back to work,” Cheng said. “Two nights in a row we managed to let them come back and we almost gave it up. Like I said today to the team, going forward we have to be better. Where we're at, there's lots of work to be done.”
The Spartans outrebounded UVic 45-25.
The Vikes managed to limit the Spartans ability to score second-chance baskets off their 21 offensive boards.
Semeniuk was a big part of that.
Cheng said he was pleased with the play of Semeniuk who was busy in a physical battle in the post, playing strong defence and drawing many Spartans fouls.
“She's a promising young player,” Cheng said. “She'll benefit from the opportunity she's getting now and will only get better and better, time in and time out she's showing us that. She's ready to go in and play a bigger role for us this year.”
The Vikes led 16-13 after the opening quarter, but allowed the Spartans to creep back late in the half for the second straight night. UVic led 28-27 at the half of a game featuring three ties and five lead changes.
#Vanessa Forstbauer# of Chilliwack, B.C., had a strong second half and finished with seven points and three assists.
The Vikes held a lead as big as nine midway through the fourth quarter, but Tiffany Olsen of Fanny Bay, B.C., and Knauff of Maple Ridge, B.C., chipped away, as the Spartans came within two points late.
The Vikes leave for Manitoba to play Winnipeg late Thursday. Their next home games are on Jan. 21 at 6 p.m. and Jan. 22 at 5 p.m. at McKinnon Gym against Lethbridge.
BY QUARTER
Trinity Western 13 14 15 15 - 57
Victoria 16 12 15 18 - 61
UVic White Spot Player of the Game – Sarah Semeniuk 18 pts, 14 reb.
