VICTORIA, B.C. – It wasn't easy but the University of Victoria Vikes men's basketball team got the points they needed after an 80-71 victory over the Brandon Bobcats on Feb. 6 at the Healthy Living Centre in Brandon, Man. The No. 7 Vikes now move to the top of the conference standings with a 13-4 record after No. 5 Saskatchewan was upset tonight by Lethbridge. Brandon drop to 1-18.
 
This week's Canada West 1st Star of the Week and Vikes forward Chris McLaughlin took double-double to a whole new level after totaling a season-high 32 points and 17 rebounds. Point guard Marcus Tibbs was also on his game with 19 points and four assists, while third-year Grant Sitton came off the bench to total 14 points.
 
Less like the Vikes, the Bobcats found their success with the depth on their squad. Five players hit double-digits on the scoreboard including Earl Thompson Jr. with a team-high 17 points and Mikee Dosado and Kenonte Ramsey each with 12. DJ Jordan was held to a quiet 11 points, while fourth year Ali-Mounir Benabdelhak earned 10.
 
The Bobcats kept pace with the Vikes in the first quarter, never trailing by more than six points. Sitton dropped a trey with three minutes to go in the opening quarter to give the Vikes the 13-7 edge. The Bobcats stayed in it with a Ramsey three-pointer response and some hard work under the hoop. The Vikes had a 17-16 lead entering the second.
 
Much of the same came in the second quarter with both teams going on little runs until the half-time break neared and McLaughlin went on his own tear to finish the half with 16 of the Vikes' 37 points. Victoria lead 37-30 after two quarters with Brandon's Ramsey and Thompson Jr. each grabbing nine points.
 
In the third McLaughlin picked up right where he left off grabbing six unanswered points. It was the start of an 8-0 run that was finally silenced by Brandon's Jordan. Jordan put up three straight baskets for the Bobcats to get the home side on route to getting back within two, down 52-50, with two minutes to go in the quarter.
 
In the final frame scoring from McLaughlin and Sitton extended Victoria's lead to 12, wile two calm layups from Tibbs kept the run going. Brandon continued to chip away at the lead with Dosado getting on the board for eight key points. Brandon did tie the game up twice but could not hold off McLaughlin and Tibbs as Victoria took the win 80-71.
 
Both teams will face off again tomorrow in Brandon. The tip-off will take place at 3pm at the Healthy Living Centre. The game will be available with live video streaming and stats at uvic.canadawest.tv
 
SCORING SUMMARY
BRAN: 16-14-22-19 : 71
UVIC: 17-20-21-22 : 80
 
SCORING LEADERS
BRAN: Earl Thompson Jr. (17), Kenonte Ramsey (12), Mikee Dosado (12)
UVIC: Chris McLaughlin (32), Marcus Tibbs (19), Grant Sitton (14)