WINNIPEG – Strong defence from the Winnipeg Wesmen proved too much for the University of Victoria Vikes, who conceded a weekend sweep to the Wesmen with a 71-50 loss on Jan. 22. The loss puts the Vikes at 5-9 in Canada West action this season while the Wesmen have won three-straight and are 4-8.

[BOX SCORE]

Second-year guard Kristy Gallagher led the Vikes with 12 points, with nine of those coming from beyond the three-point line in the third quarter. Fourth year Jenna Bugiardini had seven points and 10 rebounds for the Vikes, ending her streak of double-double performances at 11 games. First year Brittani Yee began the game as a starter for the Vikes after second year and 2014-15 Canada West Rookie of the Year Amira Giannattasio didn't dress for the Vikes due to injury.

Skylar Boulanger led the Wesmen with a double-double of 18 points and 10 rebounds while Kerri Kuzbyt had 20 points and Megan Noonan had 11 points, six boards and six steals.

"We didnt adjust to their pressure and ultimately allowed that to determine the outcome of the game," said Vikes head coach Dani Sinclair, whose team has now lost four straight games. "We succumbed to their pressure over and over and dug ourselves into a hole. I thought Brittani (Yee) did well stepping into the starting role and had herself a great weekend. She's making strides and made some good plays on both sides of the court."

After trailing throughout the first quarter the Vikes had a late push to take a 19-18 lead after 10 minutes. Winnipeg built an eight-point advantage halfway through the quarter when Kuzbyt hit her first of two three-point shots after the Vikes' freshman Yee missed a three of her own at the other end. Kuzbyt had six points in the opening quarter, while Yee matched Kuzbyt's point total for the Vikes.

After fourth-year guard Jenna Krug pulled the Vikes within seven at 32-25 in the second quarter, the Wesmen defence went to work causing three shot-clock violations, a offensive turnover and a back-court violation in the Vikes' final five possessions of the half. At the half the Wesmen had a 14-point lead at 39-25.

Winnipeg's Kuzbyt continued to hold the hot hand with back-to-back threes, giving her four in the game, while third-year post Boulanger added 10 points and four rebounds. Yee played the entire 20 minutes of the half for Victoria, while Sinclair rotated through nine of her other players trying to find the right combination to overcome the Wesmen press.

In the third quarter, the Wesmen extended their lead to 18 points at 45-27. Gallagher hit a trio of threes for the Vikes to close the gap to 50-38 midway through the quarter before Noonan hit four of five from the foul line and added a three for the Wesmen, giving her 11 points in the game. Despite Gallagher's sizzle beyond the arc in the third quarter, the Wesmen led 59-43 after 30 minutes.

The fourth quarter didn't prove to be a game-changer for the Vikes as they went on to lose 71-50 to leave Winnipeg winless.

Next weekend both the Wesmen and Vikes host their annual Shoot for the Cure games for breast cancer awareness. The Vikes host the UBC Thunderbirds (6-7) from Jan. 29-30 while the Wesmen host the CIS No. 1 Saskatchewan Huskies (12-0).
 
Game Summary:
                1            2              3              4               F
UVIC:     19           6             18             7               50
WPG:     18           21           20            12              71
 
Scoring Summary:
UVIC: Kristy Gallagher (12), Brittani Yee (8), Jenna Bugiardini (7)
WPG: Kerri Kuzbyt (20), Skylar Boulanger (18), Megan Noonan (11)