Lethbridge, Alta. – The University of Victoria men's basketball team fell to the University of Lethbridge, 98-94, in its season-opener, Nov. 4 at First Choice Savings Centre.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• The Vikes were the first to put points on the board, with a Dominick Oliveri dunk putting UVic ahead 10 seconds in.
• Ending the first quarter on an 8-2 run, the Vikes held a 28-20 lead at the end of the first.
• In the second quarter, a three-pointer from Ethan Boag gave the Vikes their largest lead of the game, 36-26, with six and a half minutes to play in the half.
• However, Lethbridge would fight back, scoring the final points of the half to send the game into the break tied, 43-43.
• Continuing the back-and-forth play in the third quarter, the Vikes re-took the lead, 67-65, on a Diego Maffia three-pointer in the final minute of the third to hold a two-point lead heading in to the final quarter.
• While a Trent Monkman layup gave the Vikes a 72-71 lead with 7:11 to play, the Pronghorns would quickly retake the lead and hold the advantage for the remainder of the game.
• A three from Maffia pulled the Vikes back within one, 95-94, with 20 seconds to go, but Lethbridge would put the final three points on the board to win it, 98-94.

WORTH NOTING

• Maffia led UVic with 29 points in 25 minutes of play.
• Elias Ralph posted a double-double performance in his first game of the season with 13 points and 11 rebounds.
• Newcomer Renoldo Robinson tallied 18 points, four rebounds and two assists in his Vikes debut.
• Monkman added a double-digit scoring performance with 12 points and a team-high three steals.
• The Vikes open the season with a 0-1 record, while Lethbridge sits at 1-0 after the season lid-lifter.   

UP NEXT
The Vikes and Pronghorns match up again tomorrow, Nov. 5, at 7 p.m. MT.