SASKATOON, Sask. - The University of Victoria Vikes will return to the Canada West final for the third straight season after an 86-61 win over the Fraser Valley Cascades Friday night at the conference final four tournament at the Physical Activity Complex in Saskatoon. With the win the Vikes will also make their third-straight appearance at the CIS National Championship, set for Mar. 12-15 at Ryerson University in Toronto.
Four Vikes scored double-digits in the win including Saskatoon native Mack Roth with 19 points. Canada West MVP Chris McLaughlin added another 17 points, while Canada West Third Team All-Star Marcus Tibbs notched a double-double with 15 points and 11 rebounds. Reiner Theil also chipped in 15 points, nine from three pointers, and another nine rebounds.
Kevon Parchment led the Cascades with 17 points and seven rebounds in the loss. Nate Brown added another 14 points, while Moedt scored 10.
Victoria used a 27-point first quarter to secure the victory over the Explorer Division leaders, the Cascades. Fraser Valley came out cold to start the semifinal game allowing Victoria to an 11-0 lead before Canada West All-Star Jasper Moedt found the net for the Cascades. The Vikes led 27-12 after the first frame.
It is the third-straight season the Vikes will vie for the Canada West title in the championship game and fourth-straight season at the final four. Despite the many recent appearances the Vikes have not won a Canada West final since 2005.
Fraser Valley picked up the pace in the second quarter outscoring the Vikes 24-18 to pull within nine at halftime. But the scoring momentum didn't last long for the Cascades and Victoria grew a 17-point lead at 67-50 by the end of the third quarter. Victoria continued to roll outscoring the Cascades 19-11 in the fourth for the 86-61 win.
The Vikes capitalized on Fraser Valley mistakes to help secure the win scoring 20 points from Cascades' turnovers in the game.
Victoria finished the night shooting at 52%, while Fraser Valley shot at 41%.
Victoria will face the winner of the UBC Thunderbirds-Saskatchewan Huskies semifinal Saturday night at 8 p.m. CST, while Fraser Valley will meet the loser at 6 p.m. CST Both games can be viewed on canadawest.tv.
SCORING SUMMARY
UVIC: 27-18-22-19 : 86
UFV: 12-24-14-11 : 61
SCORING LEADERS
UVIC: Mack Roth (19), Chris McLaughlin (17), Marcus Tibbs (19), Reiner Theil (15)
UFV: Kevon Parchment (17), Nate Brown (14), Jasper Moedt (10)
