Tale of the Weekend
VICTORIA – The UVic Vikes men's basketball team will return home after winning three of four straight games on the road, when they play the University of Lethbridge Pronghorns on Friday, January 20 and Saturday, January 21.
The first game of the weekend tips off at 8 pm, while the rematch starts at 7 pm.
"We just think about winning the next game, right now that's all we are focusing on, win or lose we just want to have the best result we can on Friday night and then focus on Saturday night," said Vikes head coach
Craig Beaucamp. "We can't get too far ahead of ourselves."
The games will be a battle between two team that are currently in playoff position. The Vikes are in a three-team tie for 11th in the Canada West conference holding a record of 5-7.
The Pronghorns are a little bit further up the standings, in sixth spot with a record of 8-6.
The last time these teams met in Canada West regular season play was one year ago in Lethbridge. The Pronghorns used home-court advantage to full effect in back-to-back wins of 89-62 and 84-71.
Last Time Out
The Vikes continued their climb up the standings last weekend, registering two wins over the UBC Okanagan Heat in Kelowna. A large 81-46 win on the opening night was backed up by a 76-65 victory, giving the Vikes their first weekend sweep of the season.
Scott Kellum was named the Muscle MLK™ Vikes Male Athlete of the Week for his 37 point performance over the weekend.
Lethbridge meanwhile, kept things close with the fifth place University of Saskatchewan Huskies, but lost both games by scores of 89-83 and 86-82 on their home court.
By the Numbers
19.7: The number of points-per-game Elliot Sentance is scoring for the Pronghorns, fourth most in the conference.
29.5: The number of minutes-per-game
Scott Kellum is playing for the Vikes, the most of any player on the team.
Coach's Take
Craig Beaucamp, Vikes head coach
"Right now they are obviously all important games but they are important for everyone in the conference, not just us. We have to remain grounded and take it day by day."
"We've had guys contribute in different roles.
Taylor Montgomery-Stinson has had a pretty consistent effort for us in the second half and been a consistent shooter from the outside.
JJ Hamel-Carey has come on and played some good minutes at the point. It's been a lot of contributors at different times.
Justin Kinnear had 18 and ten the other night".
"Right now it's not about one guy, and sometimes somebody takes the glory and puts points up but it's going to take a team effort from us down the stretch."
Player Perspective
Grant Sitton, fifth-year forward
"It's going to be nice to play at home, it's been a long road trip, with four games away and then the Christmas tournament before that. So I know a lot of the guys are actually really excited to play at home in CARSA, where it's brighter."
On his 30 point game against the TRU WolfPack
"You really don't think about much, you're kind of unconscious at that point in time. You just start feeling it and it feels like anything will go in."
Game Info
Friday, Jan. 20 – 8:00 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 – 7:00 p.m. – vs. Lethbridge Pronghorns, CARSA Performance Gym, Victoria B.C. –
Watch live on canadawest.tv
Buy tickets at govikesgo.com/tickets
Lethbridge Pronghorns (8-6)
U Sports National Ranking: N/A
Canada West Standings: 6
RPI: 0.5118
Last Week: 0-2
Streak: L 2
Last Canada West Title: 1985-86
Last CIS Title: N/A
