VICTORIA – There was little to say after the No. 4 University of Victoria Vikes men's basketball team dealt a stinger of a loss, 82-65, to the visiting UBC Thunderbirds on Shoot for the Cure Night, Feb. 14, at McKinnon Gym. The Vikes added 13 threes to the three-point challenge to help UVic raise $5,050 for the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation as part of the CIS-wide initiative.
 
The Vikes now improve to 18-3, successfully clinching the Pacific Division title, and will turn around to host the Winnipeg Wesmen in the conference quarter-finals, Feb. 21-23. Meanwhile, the T-Birds, 11-10, need to drop the Vikes in tomorrow's game and get some luck within the conference to grab a final post-season spot.
 
BOX SCORE
 
It was a huge scoring night for the Vikes who were led by second year Kyle Peterson with 17 points and five three pointers. Senior Terrell Evans had 16 points while forward Chris McLaughlin had 12 points and eight rebounds. The Vikes were 51 per cent from the field and 13-for-29 from beyond the arc.
 
The Thunderbirds were plagued by turnovers and unable to rally any momentum, as Tommy Nixon and David Wagner were only able to get 14 points each on the board. Wagner also had nine rebounds to lead the team. Brylle Kamen added 13 points and 6 rebounds for the T-Birds who shot 42 per cent all game and gave up 15 points off turnovers.
 
It seemed like no contest after the opening half that saw the Vikes shoot over 53 per cent from the field, while the T-Birds were held to 33. The shots could not drop and the turnovers kept on coming for the visiting Thunderbirds who are desperate for a win to stay in the playoffs. For their final regular season home game the Vikes did not disappoint, out-scoring the 'Birds 22-14 in the first and 24-9 in the second.
 
The T-Birds were zero-for-five from beyond the arc, while the Vikes capitalized for 15 points on UBC turnovers. Enjoying the depth of their entire bench, 15 points came off the Victoria bench while the T-Birds starting five seemed like their own enemy on the night. Fourth year Kamen led the 'Birds after the opening half with six points, while usual scorers Isaiah Solomon and Wagner finished with five points a piece.
 
For the Vikes senior Evans had 10-point half, while Peterson was three-for-five from three-point land for nine points and Ryan Erikson put in two from distance to tally seven points. Mid-way through the second the Vikes had the home crowd on their feet after back-to-back Peterson threes and a few lucky rolls for a 12-0 home-team run. Entering half the Vikes sat comfortably on a 46-23 lead.
 
In the third quarter UBC started to claw their way back, forcing several fouls out of the Vikes and earning seven points from the line to out-score the home team 18-16. The first-half cushion was enough to carry Victoria, while another two threes from Peterson was icing on the cake. The Vikes were 48 per cent from beyond the arc in the third frame to have a 62-41 entering the fourth. 
 
In the final stretch a second three-pointer from McLaughlin had the Vikes up by 24 points, 65-41, while a soon-to-follow dunk from the six-foot-ten forward had the near-full capacity crowd roaring. The Vikes continued to steam roll their mainland rivals and cap their regular home season off with a 82-65 win.
 
With the support of Vikes Athletics and Recreation, CTV Vancouver Island and Kool FM, the Vikes raised $5,050 to support the Shoot for the Cure. Graduating seniors Erikson and Evans were honoured just before the game for playing in their final regular season home game.
 
The Vikes and T-Birds will close out their regular season tomorrow, Feb. 15, in Vancouver at War Memorial Gym at 7 p.m. The Vikes will host the first round of the Canada West playoffs, the best-of-three quarter-finals, against Winnipeg on Feb. 21 (7 p.m.), Feb. 22 (7 p.m.) and, if needed, on Feb. 23 at 2 p.m. All games will be broadcast live at canadawest.tv. For ticket information visit govikesgo.com/tickets.
 
SCORING SUMMARY
UBC: 14-9-18-24 : 65
UVIC: 22-24-16-20 : 82
 
SCORING LEADERS
UBC: David Wagner (14), Tommy Nixon (14), Brylle Kamen (13)
UVIC: Kyle Peterson (17), Terrell Evans (16), Chris McLaughlin (12)