The University of Victoria Vikes women's basketball team dropped their first non-conference game of the season 73-69 to the Wilfrid Laurier Golden Hawks in the tournament opener at Hoopsfest in Edmonton on Friday afternoon.

BOX SCORE

Despite being tied several times in the game, the Vikes would get close and then the Golden Hawks would put together a run. It left the Vikes playing catch up most of the night.

Once UVic did find its rhythm, foul trouble hurt them inside the paint. Camosun College transfer Chelsea McMullen fouled out early in the fourth quarter, and post Natalie Janssens fouled out later in the frame, leaving the Vikes with a void in the paint.

Freshman guard Shaylyn Crisp led the Vikes with a strong debut, netting a team-high 14 points and adding two steals, one assist and three rebounds. Senior guard Debbie Yeboah, who had a great fourth quarter, also scored 14 points in the loss. Freshman guard Jenny Lewis (Falls View, N.S.) added 11 points and a pair of steals and rebounds.

"We had a chance to win the game but we made too many errors," said Vikes head coach Rich Chambers. "I guess a positive to take from it is that they've had a few games already and we stayed with them. Shaylyn was by far our best player. We just need some of our experienced players to step up. The young players are promising on our squad."

The Golden Hawks had a 14-point, six-rebound effort from Felicia Mazerolle, but her seven turnovers to three assists showed the effect the Vikes pressure defence had on them. Doreen Bonsu notched a game-high 19-point, eight-rebound night, while Christa Mancino (15 points) and Shelby Kurt (12 points) also registered in double-digit scoring.

Chambers was watching Concordia play UBC and noted they are "very athletic." UVic faces the Stingers on Saturday afternoon.

"It's a big game for us and as far as this weekend is concerned, we could not have had a better selection of games for this time of year," Chambers said, noting "dumb fouls" and poor overall rebounding from his forward was a factor in the loss. Despite the concern, the VIkes did outbound Laurier 36-29.

"We just need more consistent play from all of our forwards and we just have to execute better," Chambers said. "But that's to be expected in the first game. It does not surprise me."