BRANDON – The University of Victoria Vikes women's basketball team ticked the first of two boxes on the to-do list this weekend after a 70-56 victory over the Brandon Bobcats on Feb. 6 at the Healthy Living Centre in Brandon, Man. With the win the Vikes improve to 10-7, while the Bobcats are 3-16.
 
Third-year Jenna Bugiardini led the Vikes with 18 points and nine rebounds, while fifth year Jessica Renfrew neared with 16 points, three steals and five rebounds. Point guard Cassandra Goodis logged 10 points and four assists, just three away from breaking the Canada West all-time assists record.
 
Brandon were led by the talented Aleah Bridges, with 14 points and eight rebounds, while forward Amy Williams had 10 points and six rebounds. Guards Stephanie Haynes and Mikaela Stanton logged critical minutes and were important defensively to the home team in their annual Shoot for the Cure night.
 
The Vikes came out firing on all cylinders, going on a 12-4 run in the first three minutes of the game. Brandon managed to battle back to trail by two at 12-10, but were unable to continue the Vikes' momentum and entered half-time down 34-27. Buigardini put up 11 of the Vikes' first-half points, while the Vikes were able to dip into their bench, including utilizing rookie Paige Thomson, who made her hometown debut.
 
In the third quarter the Vikes out-scored the Bobcats 22-14 thanks to several points from Renfrew. The senior put up back-to-back jumpers and then followed it up with a three-pointer and two-made foul shots to give Victoria a 56-41 lead entering the fourth.
 
In the final frame several of the Vikes bench players were able to contribute in minutes giving valuable opportunity to train the team's depth entering the post-season. The Bobcats matched the Vikes well, statistically, but failed to convert on their opportunities. The Vikes sat on their first-half momentum and held on for 70-56 victory.
 
Both teams will face off again tomorrow in Brandon. The tip-off will take place at 3pm at the Healthy Living Centre.
 
SCORING SUMMARY
BRAN: 13-14-14-15 : 56
UVIC: 20-14-22-14 : 70
 
SCORING LEADERS
BRAN: Aleah Bridges (14), Amy Williams (10), Stephanie Hayes (8)
UVIC: Jenna Bugiardini (18), Jessica Renfrew (16), Cassandra Goodis (10)