KAMLOOPS – 2017 is off to a perfect start for the UVic Vikes women's basketball team after they defeated the Thompson Rivers WolfPack 80-70 on Saturday, January 7.
 
"It was a good game both ways, it came down to a couple of possessions," said Vikes head coach Dani Sinclair. "That was the difference in the game, timely shots both ways and we were lucky enough to have things go our way at the end."
 
Four players drove the offence for UVic. Kristy Gallagher, Amira Giannattasio and Jenna Bugiardini all scored 15 points in the game while Nicole Karstein added another 14. Those four players accounted for 59 of the Vikes 80 points in the game.
 
Gallgher, a third-year guard, played 20 minutes off the bench and was again a key performer for the Vikes as she continues to work her way back from an injury.
 
Thompson Rivers came out much stronger than they did the night before and stuck with the Vikes throughout the game. While the Vikes were ahead on the scoreboard for most of the night, TRU refused to go away and the largest lead of the game was the ten point advantage the Vikes had at the end of the game.
 
"Not surprising that they came out stronger tonight," said Sinclair. "I have a lot of respect for TRU and they played well for most of the game."
 
One of the keys to the game was ball security, TRU committed 18 turnovers compared to the Vikes 11 and UVic was able to score 20 points off those turnovers.
 
The win bumps the Vikes record to 6-4, moving them into a tie for eight place in the Canada West conference.
 
"I think we need to keep building, it is always tough to come into someone else's gym and try and beat them twice," said Sinclair. "We knew it would be tough and it is important for us to build on this weekend."
 
The Vikes head back out on the road next weekend, where they will play a pair of games against the University of British Columbia Okanagan Heat on January 13 and 14
 
SCORING SUMMARY 
UVIC: 20-23-14-23: 80
TRU: 16-26-14-14: 70

SCORING LEADERS
UVIC: Kristy Gallagher (15), Amira Giannattasio (15), Jenna Bugiardini (15)  
TRU: Shenise Sigsworth (17), Emma Piggin (14), Michelle Bos (14)