Tale of the Weekend
 
VICTORIA – The UVic Vikes women's basketball team will face another tough test this weekend, as they continue to prepare for the U SPORTS Final Eight being hosted in Victoria from March 9-12.
 
The Winnipeg Wesmen come to the CARSA Performance Gym to play games on February 10, at 6 p.m. and February 11, at 5 p.m.
 
The Wesmen are currently No. 7 in the U SPORTS national rankings and sit in first place in the entire Canada West conference with a record of 16-2.
 
"Because of their style of play they can beat anybody," said Vikes head coach Dani Sinclair. "They have some veteran players, size and depth, with the addition of Miller a lot of people are of the opinion they are the team to beat."
 
"You can say that about four or five teams, but if they are playing well, they are extremely tough."
 
The Saturday night game will also be the last Canada West regular season game for a trio of Vikes. Jenna Krug, Nicole Karstein and Jenna Bugiardini have all been with the program for five years.
 
"They are the first group of fifth-year players that I have been with as a head coach, there is a special place there for me," said Sinclair. "It's hard to imagine moving on without them."
 
The influence of the graduating players will be felt for a long time, both on and off the court.
 
"They are such great people beyond being great basketball players," said Sinclair. "They have left a great example for our younger players of how to carry yourself as a person, to me that's more important than any legacy they leave as a basketball player."
 
"Not to diminish that at all, they have left incredible legacies as basketball players as well."  
 
With a sweep of the Wesmen the chance remains for the Vikes to climb into the top four in the conference, securing them a bye through the first round of the playoffs, but they will need some help in the form of the teams above them losing to accomplish that.
 
Last Time Out
 
The Vikes picked up a split on the road in Fraser Valley last weekend. A 68-57 win on Friday night was followed by a 75-66 loss on Saturday, a game in which the Vikes were outscored 30-17 in the final quarter.
 
"I would like to see a little more urgency, that's where we lost some ground Saturday night," said Sinclair.  "We have to play a little more desperate."
 
Bugiardini was named both the Vikes Muscle MLK™ Female Athlete of the Week and the second star in Canada West for the 41 points and 29 rebounds she recorded over the weekend.
 
The Wesmen saw a mark go in their loss column for just the second time this season last weekend. They split a pair of games at home to the former U SPORTS No. 1 Regina Cougars. 
 
By the Numbers
 
18.6: The number of points per game Antoinette Miller is scoring, to lead both the Wesmen and all of Canada West.
 
291: The number of Canada West regular season games the three graduating Vikes have played in their careers.
 
6: After this weekend, the Vikes will have played six of the top eight teams in the conference during the regular season.
 
Coach's Take
Dani Sinclair, Vikes head coach
 
"At the end of the day we just have to focus on playing well, we always talk about trying to peak at the right time and we need to get back to doing that. We've had a good stretch. Saturday is a tough loss to get over but I think there are some good lessons there. Big picture, that's more important than where we finish."
 
"The truth is, our girls believe we are right there. In the standings we sit below all those teams, but when we are playing well we fit in with those teams. Last year there was a bit of division between the top four teams and everyone else. This year that's not necessarily the case. It's a really good opportunity."
 
On the play of Winnipeg
 
"They play with a style that is fun to play against. Antoinette Miller makes a big difference as the leading scorer in the conference. You can never sleep on Winnipeg,"
 
On the graduating Vikes
 
"We focus a lot on results, winning and championships and that's important. That's our goal and there's where we are headed with this group. I'll never forget their reaction when we found out we were hosting nationals, that's been their goal throughout their career and we have been right on the cusp almost every year."
 
"What's special beyond the on court result aspect of it, is to see how they've grown up right in front of your eyes. They've been a huge part of my family and have watched my kids grow up."
 
Game Information
 
Friday, Feb. 10 – 6:00 p.m. – vs. Winnipeg Wesmen, CARSA Performance Gym, Victoria B.C. 
Watch live on canadawest.tv
Buy tickets at govikeso.com/tickets

Saturday, Feb. 11 – 5:00 p.m. – vs. Winnipeg Wesmen, CARSA Performance Gym, Victoria B.C. 
Watch live on canadawest.tv
Buy tickets at govikesgo.com/tickets

Winnipeg Wesmen (16-2)
U Sports National Ranking: 7
Canada West Standings: 1
RPI: 0.5822
Last Week: 1-1
Streak: W 1
Last Canada West Title: N/A
Last U SPORTS Title: 1994-95