Tale of the Weekend
 
VICTORIA – The UVic Vikes women's basketball team will return to the friendly confines of the CARSA Performance Gym on January 20 and 21 when they host the University of Lethbridge Pronghorns.
 
The weekend gets underway on Friday night at 6 p.m. before the same two teams turn around and battle again at 5 p.m. on Saturday.
 
After five games on the road and a long holiday break, the game on Friday will be the Vikes first game action in the CARSA Performance Gym in almost a month.
 
"It almost feels foreign to be back at home but it's nice," said Vikes head coach Dani Sinclair. "We've had some success on the road but we are excited to be back at home."
 
"Playing six of our last eight games at home will be great and then hopefully even more leading into playoffs."
 
The Vikes currently hold a record of 8-4 and are locked in a three-team tie for sixth place in Canada West.
 
The Pronghorns occupy the twelfth and final playoff spot in the conference with a record of 4-10.
 
These teams met up for a pair of games last season. The Vikes swept the Pronghorns in Alberta by scores of 77-56 and 85-55.
 
Last Time Out
 
These two teams saw their seasons take turns in different directions last weekend.
 
The Vikes continued their hot start to 2017 with two wins over UBCO in Kelowna, taking the first game 78-67 before completing the sweep with a 75-52 victory.
 
Fifth-year forward Nicole Karstein racked up the honours, being named both the Muscle MLK™ Vikes Female Athlete of the Week and the Canada West Female second star of the week for her 39 points and 18 rebounds on the weekend.
 
"I always think that the only thing that can stop Nicole is Nicole, she is such a great athlete, she's so skilled at both ends of the floor, has the ability to be a great defender and a great scorer," said Sinclair.
 
Lethbridge meanwhile, was handled easily by the U Sports No. 10 Saskatchewan Huskies. Losing 75-63 and 88-53 on their home court.
 
By the Numbers
 
9.5: The numbers of rebounds per game Lethbridge guard/forward Jessica Bachynski is pulling down a game, third highest in the conference.
 
67.8: The numbers of points per game the Vikes are scoring this season, fifth most in Canada West, a full ten points more than the Pronghorns.
 
Coach's Take
Dani Sinclair, Vikes head coach
 
"Continuing to focus on each game as it's own thing and not thinking too much about what we've done over the last couple of weekends or what it ahead is important. You can get bogged down in that a little bit."
 
"Each weekend you are facing a different match up with different issues and we have to be attentive to what is right in front of us and not think too far ahead."
 
"I know there are some good things about being on the road, you spend a lot of time together and you travel together which leads to some good team building things so that has been positive."
 
Player Perspective
Nicole Karstein, fifth-year forward
 
"We worked really hard over the Christmas break and our team was working really well together over these past few weekends, they made it really easy for me to do my best. It was a great team effort the whole weekend."
 
Game Info
 
Friday, Jan. 20 – 6:00 p.m. – vs. Lethbridge Pronghorns, CARSA Performance Gym, Victoria B.C. –
Watch live on canadawest.tv
Buy tickets at govikesgo.com/tickets

Saturday, Jan. 21 – 5:00 p.m. – vs. Lethbridge Pronghorns, CARSA Performance Gym, Victoria B.C. – 
Watch live on canadawest.tv
Buy tickets at govikesgo.com/tickets

Lethbridge Pronghorns (4-10)
U Sports National Ranking: N/A
Canada West Standings: t-12
RPI: 0.4305
Last Week: 0-2
Streak: L 2
Last Canada West Title: N/A
Last CIS Title: N/A