LETHBRIDGE, AB – Turnovers given up by the University of Victoria Vikes men's basketball team and faults in the shooting department helped the Lethbridge Pronghorns cruise to an 89-62 victory on Nov. 27 at the First Choice Savings Centre in Lethbridge, Alta. The win moves the 'Horns to 4-1 on the season, while the Vikes now fall to 5-2 and are now on a two-game losing streak after beginning the season undefeated at 5-0.
[BOX SCORE]
Fifth-year Vike Reiner Theil led the Vikes with 13 points and was 5-for-8 from the floor while fifth-year Mack Roth picked up 11 points in the loss. The Vikes shot 35.8 per cent on the night and committed an uncustomary 23 turnovers. The 'Horns capitalized by scoring 21 points off turnovers caused by the Vikes.
Brandon Brine of the 'Horns led all scorers on the night and was one rebound short of a double-double with 21 points and nine rebounds. Dejon Burdeaux did pick up a double-double for Lethbridge with 18 points and 10 assists. Rob Olsen also chipped in with 15 points for the 'Horns.
The Vikes found themselves down 20-7 early in the game, and when the dust settled after the first 10 minutes the 'Horns held a 23-14 lead at the first quarter intermission. Lethbridge shot 8-for-14 in the quarter, including 2-for-3 from behind the arc. The Vikes were 42.8 per cent from the floor in the first, but had six turnovers.
The Vikes went on a 9-4 run to begin the second quarter to cut the game back to a two possession game, but a Mike Pierzchala three-pointer restored momentum for the 'Horns. The end the second quarter, the 'Horns led 38-29. In the half, the 'Horns shot 43.3 per cent and the Vikes were just over 41 percent. The Vikes committed 14 turnovers in the half, which was their game average heading into tonight's game.
Coming out of the break, Theil and Charles hit back-to-back three pointers to bring the Vikes back to within four points. The remainder of the third was all Pronghorns, however, as the 'Horns outscored the Vikes 32-13 rest of the way in the third and held a 70-48 lead with one quarter to play.
The pace slowed in the fourth and the 'Horns cruised to their fourth win of the season, 89-62. On the night, the 'Horns were over 46 per cent from the floor, and after heating up in the third finished 9-for-19 from behind the arc.
The Vikes look to split the series in game two tomorrow night, Nov. 28, at 7:00pm at the 1st Choice Savings Centre. The game will be streamed live on www.canadawest.tv.
Game Summary
1 2 3 4 F
UVIC: 14 15 19 14 62
LETH: 23 15 32 19 89
Scoring Summary:
UVIC: R. Theil (13), M. Roth (11), J. Charles (8)
LETH: B. Brine (21), D. Burdeaux (18), R. Olsen (15)
