VICTORIA – The University of Victoria Vikes men's basketball team dominated the floors of host Manitoba Bisons from start to end on Jan. 10, defeating the home team 85-55 on the second night of their double header series this weekend. With the win, the Vikes improve to 8-2 in the Canada West regular season while the Bisons fall to 8-4.
 
It was a good showcase of talent for several Vikes players this evening. Leading the way for two-games straight was Chris McLaughlin in double digits with a game high 23 points, 11 field goals and nine rebounds. Marcus Tibbs added 15 points, eight assists and six rebounds, while Grant Sitton and Mack Roth contributed 14 points and 12 points, respectively. Jordan Charles and Reiner Theil both held the team with 10 rebounds and nine rebounds, respectively.
 
The Bisons relied on forward Andre Arruda, who totaled 11 points and six rebounds, and fifth year Wyatt Anders with 10 points and eight rebounds. Stephan Walton led his team in assists.
 
The Vikes drove the momentum early on in the first quarter, showing some good defensive work that held the home team just 14 per cent from the field. Second chance points was all the Vikes needed to dominate the Bisons 28-6 at the end of the first.
 
Manitoba's Wyatt Anders found the net in the second quarter, scoring eight of the Bisons' 19 points in the period. But Manitoba couldn't keep up with the Victoria's relentless offense. Vikes' fifth year McLaughlin and fourth year Tibbs were strong on all corners of the court while contributions from almost every other Vike helped to add 25 more points to finish the half at 53-25.
 
Both teams shifted gears and took a more defensive approach to the second half. Neither team scored until Jonathan Alexander sunk a layup for the Bisons almost two minutes into the third quarter. The Bisons added eight more points before the Vikes' offense resurfaced. Victoria scored 12 unanswered points thanks to a 7-0 run from Sitton's back-to-back dunks and a three-point shot. Jeremy Leonard-Smith shot two-for-two in free throws to cap off the quarter with a 69-35 lead entering the fourth.
 
Manitoba outscored Victoria 20-16 in the final quarter as Vikes men's basketball head coach Craig Beaucamp rolled off his entire bench. With the large Victoria lead, the Bisons struggled to make up the point deficit and the Vikes claimed the game with a 85-55 victory.
 
"We were off to a good start, capitalizing on outscoring the Bisons in the first quarter," said Beaucamp. "I think we played confidently tonight both offensively and defensively."
 
Up next, the Vikes will return home to the McKinnon Gym to host Winnipeg on Jan. 16 at 8 p.m. PST. The game will be broadcast live with stats on canadawest.tv.
 
SCORING SUMMARY
UVIC: 28-25-16-16: 85
MAN: 6-19-10-20: 55
 
SCORING LEADERS
UVIC: Chris McLaughlin (23), Marcus Tibbs (15), Grant Sitton (14), Mack Roth (12)
MAN: Andre Arruda (11), Wyatt Anders (10)