The University of Victoria Vikes women's basketball team snapped a two-game slide, Jan. 17 at the Charles Jago Northern Sports Centre, defeating the UNBC Timberwolves 79-69 to move to 8-5 in their Canada West season. Cassandra Goodis rebounded from a three-point game against Alberta, Jan. 11 to lead the Vikes in scoring with 16 points and five rebounds.
 
BOX SCORE
 
Jessica Renfrew was second on the Vikes in scoring. The fourth-year forward finished with 15 points. Sarah Semeniuk and Jenny Lewis also scored in the double digits with Semeniuk netting 13 and Lewis adding 11.
 
The Timberwolves were led by fifth-years Mercedes VanKoughnett and Emily Kaehn. VanKoughnett showed up in the second quarter with three consecutive baskets from behind the arc, totalling 17 points, all in the first half. Kaehn worked in the key sealing out the defender to net 17 of her own. Sarah Robin and Mavia NIjjer added 15 and 14 points, respectively.
 
Straight out of the gate the Vikes took it to the Timberwolves. Going on an 11-0 run to open the first quarter. Renfrew the Vikes run with a back door cut to the basket, a lob pass from Goodis put Renfrew in the perfect position to lay the ball in. The Timberwolves would not get on the score board until the fifth minute when Emily Kaehn of Hixon, B.C. was able seal off the defence down low, capitalizing on three consecutive possessions.
 
UNBC's Mercedes VanKoughnett lit up the second quarter going five for three from behind the arc, netting 13 of her 17 first half points. The Timberwolves guard found her groove giving UNBC their first lead of the game half way through the second but it would not last long. The Vikes would take the lead again after a Renfrew three. At the end of the half the Vikes held a narrow lead over the Timberwolves 42-39.
 
The Timberwolves battled to stay with the Vikes in the second half but the visitors were able to pull ahead by 10 in the third quarter. Goodis continued to drain shots from the outside without the Timberwolves answering. Semeniuk led rebounding for both teams with nine boards. In total, the Vikes out rebounded the Timberwolves 49-29.
 
Cutting the lead to seven would be the closest the Timberwolves would get to the Vikes before then end of the night. UNBC's Mavia Nijjer knocked down two threes to start the Timberwolves momentum but Lewis quickly put a stop to that with two jumpers. At the final whistle the Timberwolves fell 79-69 to the Vikes.
 
The Vikes and Timberwolves will both return to the Northern Sport Centre for their second of two this weekend, Jan. 18. Tip-off is set for 6:00 p.m. and can be watched live at canadawest.tv.

SCORING SUMMARY

UVIC:   23-19-21-16: 79
UNBC: 14-25-14-16: 69