VICTORIA – The University of Victoria Vikes women's basketball team opened their Canada West season with a convincing 83-65 win over the Brandon Bobcats in Manitoba on Nov. 1. The Vikes had an 18-point game from third-year guard Jenny Lewis, while senior Sarah Semeniuk added 16 points.
 
BOX SCORE
 
Lewis was three-for-five from distance and went perfect from the line to lead the Vikes in their first game of the regular season. Semeniuk had a double-double of 18 points and 11 rebounds, while Cassandra Goodis totaled six assists and seven rebounds.
 
The Bobcats were led in scoring by Cassie Cooke who totaled over half of Brandon's points finishing the night with 34 points and five rebounds. Ambre McDonald-Okoro was the next highest scorer for the home team chipping in with 10 points.
 
The Vikes had three unanswered buckets from distance coming from Lewis, Goodis and then Jessica Renfrew to lift the Vikes up by 11 points midway through the opening quarter. The Vikes put in five-straight free throws to close out the opening frame with a 25-11 edge.
 
Lewis opened scoring in the second quarter with a three-pointer to lift the Vikes up by 15 but McDonald-Okro drive the hoop for a nice bucket to keep her team in check. Brandon continued to take aim from distance but was unable to capitalize, while the Vikes dominated the paint to extend their lead to 20 after a 12-0 run. Jenna Bugiardini put in two foul shots to help the Vikes to a healthy 22-13 score margin in the second and a 47-24 lead entering the half-time break.
 
In the third quarter Brandon regrouped to stay on pace with the Vikes women, out-scoring the Vikes 18-15. Aleah Bridges started the Bobcats off to a good start wit ha three-pointer that stung even harder when Cooke drained one from distance one minute later. Cooke was all over the court six third-quarter points.
 
In the final frame it was the home team that worked the floor, out-scoring Victoria 23-21. Early scoring prevailed for the Vikes who finished the game with an 83-65 edge. The Vikes now take a 1-0-0 record and will turn around to face the Regina Cougars tomorrow, Nov. 2, at 4:00 p.m. PST. The game will be broadcast live at http://canadawest.tv.
 
SCORING SUMMARY
VIC: 25-22-15-21: 83
BRA: 11-13-18-23: 65
 
SCORING LEADERS
VIC: Jenny Lewis (18), Sarah Semeniuk (16), Jessica Renfrew (13)
BRA: Cassie Cooke (34), Ambrea McDonald-Okoro (10)