VICTORIA, B.C. – The University of Victoria Vikes women's basketball team returns to the CARSA Performance Gym for their first Canada West regular season home opener at the facility, Nov. 13-14, against the Saskatchewan Huskies. The Vikes split their first two games on the road against Trinity Western and are 1-1 on the season. The Huskies are undefeated at 2-0 after sweeping the Manitoba Bisons in the opening week.
 
After dropping their first matchup 78-70 against the Spartans in overtime, the Vikes impressed in the second game by winning comfortably 77-52. Scoring from the bench played a key role in the Vikes' first win of the season, with fourth year forward Nicole Karstein adding 13 points in 28 minutes of work off the bench. In only 13 minutes of playing time, fourth-year Vike Jenna Bugiardini picked up seven rebounds to help the Vikes. In total, the Vikes outscored the Spartans 35-15 off the bench.
 
The Vikes boast a comfortable blend of youth and veteran leadership that will be called upon to contribute in all parts of the court this season. In their second seasons as Vikes, guards Amira Giannattasio and Kristy Gallagher have been among the Vikes' top scorers through the first two games of their Canada West campaign. Fourth years Karstein and Bugiardini have followed suit with Bugiardini leading the Vikes defensively in rebounds with 18 – including 13 of those in the defensive end.
 
The Vikes have found scoring from all the pieces to their starting lineup this season and are complimented by their ability to score from the bench. After extra time took a toll on the Vikes in their Nov. 6 overtime loss to the Spartans, starting lineup players Bugiardini and Giannattasio got the support they needed in their reduced time on the court from first-year Vike guard Brittany Yee and first-year forward Marissa Dheensaw.
 
Meanwhile, the Huskies did quick work of Manitoba in their first games of the 2015-16 Canada West Season. After holding the Bisons to only 29 points in their first win, the Huskies put up 99 points in a decisive 99-57 victory in their Nov. 7 win.
 
The veterans for the Huskies including the likes of guards Laura Dally and Kelsey Trulsrud have been influential players for Saskatchewan so far this season. Rookie guard Sabine Dukate has made an immediate impact this season and is a confident player for the future with 11 points in 23 minutes of action in Saturday's win.
 
Victoria and Saskatchewan will tip off on Friday, Nov. 13 at 6:00 p.m. and again on Nov. 14 at 5:00 p.m. at the CARSA Performance Gym. Ticket information can be found at govikesgo.com/tickets, and live web streaming and stats are available by pay-per-view at canadawest.tv. Free live stats are available online at canadawest.org.