VICTORIA – It was the Jenna Bugiardini show in Victoria as the University of Victoria Vikes women's basketball team defeated the Thompson Rivers WolfPack 77-60 on Feb. 7 at McKinnon Gym. The second-year guard becomes one of three Vikes to reach more than 31 points in a game in the last decade following Debbie Yeboah (32) in 2012 and Kayla Dykstra (33) in 2009. The win lifts the Vikes to a 14-5 record, on track for the Pacific Division title, while Thompson Rivers drop to 10-9.
 
BOX SCORE
 
Reigning Canada West Rookie of the Year, Bugiardini, had a 24-point first half to end the night with 33 points and eight rebounds, while Jenny Lewis came off the bench to add 13 points. Cassandra Goodis chipped in with 10 points and six assists while rookie Nicole Karstein impressed with nine points and five rebounds.
 
The WolfPack were led in scoring by none other than fourth year Jorri Duxbury who was all over the court for 22 points, while Kassie Colonna's six-foot-two size got her 10 points on the scoresheet. Thompson Rivers earned 21 points off Vikes turnovers but were held to a shooting percentage of 32 throughout the game.

"It was just one of those nights where she was feeling it," said Vikes head coach Dani Sinclair about the outstanding performance of Bugiardini. "She really carried us through this game and she often does a lot for us that doesn't show up on the box score so it is nice to see her put up some big numbers."
 
All cylinders were firing for the home team as Bugiardini was in double digits after the opening quarter and the Vikes were five-for-nine on outside shots in the first half. Stingy Victoria defence held the normal double-digit scoring power of Duxbury and Taiysa Worsfold at bay as the Vikes out-shot the WolfPack 22-12 in the first quarter alone. The Vikes went on a 15-point run that was capped off by a Bugiardini three to have a solid cushion entering the second quarter.
 
WolfPack guard Duxbury showed her individual skills going to the hoop on several occasions but was unable to convert with the exception of on foul shots. Despite solid shooting the Vikes got into foul trouble, allowing the WolfPack to convert 10 points from the line and nine from Vikes turnovers. It was a sloppy second frame that was saved by accurate perimeter shooting by Jenny Lewis and Shaylyn Crisp and the on-going scoring of Bugiardini.
 
Despite only out-scoring the WolfPack 27-24 in the second, the Vikes still led 49-36 at half and Bugiardini led all scorers with 24 points.
 
Victoria's lead quickly diminished to under 10 after some poised work from Thompson Rivers rookie Ryan Kennedy who hit one of two key three-point shots near the end of the third. Foul trouble kept several of the regulars off the floor allowing Vikes Jenna Krug, Lewis and Karstein to step up to the plate. The up-and-down saga continued for the Vikes who were held to 25 per cent in shooting in the third quarter to be out-scored 14-13 by the visitors but still held a 62-50 edge.

"We do have really good depth," added Sinclair. "Nicole and Jenny both were solid for us when we got in to foul trouble and with our bench we showed we can really run teams. This becomes really important for us, especially in back-to-back games."
 
Credit to the visitors who pushed back to stay within range as Duxbury started to have the ball roll for her. Worsfold started to find her scoring touch but it was too little too late as the Vikes were able to sit on their first-quarter cushion and stay on track towards the 77-60 win. Both teams will meet again tomorrow, Feb. 8, at McKinnon Gym at 5 p.m. The game will be broadcast live at canadawest.tv.
 
SCORING SUMMARY
TRU: 12-24-14-10 : 60
VIC: 22-27-13-15: 77
 
SCORING LEADERS
TRU: Jorry Duxbury (22), Kassie Colonna (10)
VIC: Jenna Bugiardini (33), Jenny Lewis (13), Cassandra Goodis (10)