VICTORIA, B.C. – It was a record-breaking night for the University of Victoria Vikes women's basketball team's fifth-year point guard Cassandra Goodis. With eight assists in the 72-55 win over Brandon, Goodis successfully breaks the Canada West all-time assists record, previously held by Simon Fraser's Lani Gibbons (539). Goodis now has 545 career assists and that number is sure to continue climbing.
 
With the second-straight win over the Bobcats, the Vikes are now 11-7 in the Pioneers Division, while Brandon are now 3-17.
 
The Vikes showed their depth in scoring tonight as five players hit double digits including both Jessica Renfrew and Goodis nailing 14 points. Renfrew hauled down nine rebounds, while Goodis logged eight assists, five steals and six rebounds. Rookie Amira Giannattasio grabbed 13 points and five steals, while Jenna Bugiardini and Jenna Krug finished with 12 and 10 points, respectively.
 
Guard Kylee Howard led the home side with 14 points, while forward Amy Williams had 10 points for the Bobcats. Aleah Bridges was held to a modest seven points, despite logging five assists and four steals. Kinsley Ransom had a team-high nine rebounds, while Stephanie Haynes and Williams each had eight boards.
 
Despite the final score line it was the home side that got off to a good start in the opening quarter as a few quick buckets from Ransom got Brandon up 9-4. Giannattasio's lone three pointer of the night came at a timely moment to eventually get the teams square at nine and a subsequent four shots from the first year guard kept the Vikes rolling to edge the Bobcats 15-14 at the end of the first.
 
In the second quarter Brandon's Williams was right in the face of the Vikes, tying the game at 15 and later getting the Bobcats back within three, trailing 30-27 with three minutes left in the first half. Three-point shots from Goodis and Krug set the Vikes up to out-score the Bobcats 18-15 in the second and enter half time leading 33-29.
 
Teams traded runs in the third quarter as the Vikes relied on their points from the free-throw line to stay marginally ahead. Kylee Howard made a shot from distance to give Brandon the lead, up 44-43, with under two to go in the third but veterans Renfrew and Goodis put the game back in the hands of the visitors putting in some key jumpers to take the lead 52-44 entering the fourth.
 
The Vikes continued to see scoring come from various players while back-to-back treys from Kaela Cranston and Howard got Brandon back within 10 points, trailing 60-50 with 5:44 to go in the game. It was missed opportunities for both teams for the next four teams until Ashley McGinnis came off the bench to hit a three and get Victoria up 70-53. Krug sealed two from the line as the Vikes came away with a 72-55 win over Brandon and ultimately a weekend sweep entering their final regular season games.
 
Up next the Vikes will host the Trinity Western Spartans next weekend, Feb. 13-14, at McKinnon Gymnasium. These will be the last regular season games for the Vikes basketball teams and both the men's and women's programs will be calling the new Centre for Athletics, Recreation and Special Abilities (CARSA) their home next year. Before the teams get excited about the new facility and performance gym, Vike Athletics and Recreation will be hosting a special celebration for the "McKinnon Era" on Feb. 14 during the #IheartMcK night. For more information visit govikesgo.com. Games will be broadcast as usual at uvic.canadawest.tv.
 
SCORING SUMMARY
BRAN: 14-15-15-11: 55
UVIC:  15-18-19-20 : 72
 
SCORING LEADERS
BRAN: Kylee Howard (14), Amy Williams (10), Aleah Bridges (7)
UVIC: Jessica Renfrew (14), Cassandra Goodis (14), Amira Giannattasio (13)