VICTORIA, B.C. – The University of Victoria Vikes women's basketball team conceded their second-straight loss to the CIS-ranked No. 2 Alberta Pandas on Nov. 29 at McKinnon Gym in Victoria. Four players hit double digits as the Canada West powerhouses put up a 77-50 victory over the Vikes. The Vikes drop to a 2-6 record, while Alberta continue their dominance with a 7-1 record in the Pioneers Division of the Canada West.
 
Senior point guard Cassandra Goodis led the Vikes with 12 points and five assists, while third year Ashley McGinnis came off the bench to nail three treys in succession and a fourth later on in the final quarter to also finish with 12. First year guard Amira Giannattasio totalled 10 points, while the Vikes shot just 25 per cent from the field but were 72 percent from distance.
 
Size differential was difficult to contend with for the Vikes as the Pandas had six-foot-one Saskia Van Ginhoven lead the way with 16 points and 10 rebounds, while fellow senior Sally Hillier logged 12 points and three assists. Six-foot-three Megan Van de Kraats also nailed a double-double on the night with 16 points and 11 rebounds.
 
The visitors came out the gate with a fast-paced and strong start despite only four points in the opening four minutes. The Vikes' first point came on a Shaylyn Crisp free throw with just under six minutes to go in the first. Fifth year Jessica Renfrew shot the first of seven Vikes three-pointers with three minutes left in the opening quarter. The Pandas moved the ball well around the perimeter and were strong in their defensive rebounding to take a 17-6 lead entering the second quarter.
 
In the second frame, the Pandas continued to maintain their strides with Alberta forward Van de Kraats owning the war under the boards. The Vikes relied on bench player, McGinnis to drain three of her four distance in the last three minutes of the half. The Vikes were out-shot 23-18 in the second, as the Pandas held a 40-24 lead by half time. Alberta shot 53 per cent from the field in the opening half, while the Vikes were held to 21 per cent.
 
The Vikes had their strongest scoring quarter in the third, keeping up with Alberta, who out-scored them 20-19, despite trailing by 17 points, 60-43, entering the final stretch.
 
In the last quarter the Pandas showed why they are ranked No. 2 in the country, as they amped their lead up to a final score of 77-50 thanks to the continued leadership of Van Ginhoven, Van de Kraats and Hillier. Jessilyn Fairbanks and Elle Hendershot were key in the game to add nine points each, while the Pandas out-rebounded the Vikes an impressive 50-21. 
 
This marks the final games before the December break for the Vikes, who will resume Canada West action on Jan. 9-10, with a road trip to Manitoba.
 
SCORING SUMMARY
ALB: 17-23-20-17: 77
UVIC: 6-18-19-7: 50
 
SCORING LEADERS
ALB: Saskia Van Ginhoven (16), Megan Van de Kraats (16), Sally Hillier (12)
UVIC: Cassandra Goodis (12), Ashley McGinnis (12), Amira Giannattasio (10)