Halifax, N.S. – The No. 1-seeded University of Victoria men's basketball team fell to second-seeded University of Ottawa in the bronze medal game at the U SPORTS Final 8 tournament, 78-58, March 12, at Scotiabank Centre.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Seven-straight points from Ottawa opened the game scoring before a three from Jaden Touchie and layup from Diego Maffia brought the score to 7-5 with 6:20 to play in the first quarter.
- An Elias Ralph three in the final 30 seconds cut the Gee-Gees' lead to one, 15-14, after the first 10 minutes of play.
- At halftime, Ottawa held a 39-29 lead over the Vikes.
- Giving the Vikes their first lead of the game, a Maffia three put UVic ahead, 40-39, with 7:31 to go in the third quarter.
- A 12-0 Ottawa run gave the Gee-Gees a 55-42 lead after 30 minutes of play.
- Unable to make up any ground in the fourth quarter, the Vikes fell to Ottawa, 78-58.
WORTH NOTING
- Ralph recorded a double-double with 17 points and career-high tying 12 rebounds, adding three assists, one steal, and one block for the Vikes.
- Maffia led UVic with 20 points, also recording two rebound and two assists.
- The Vikes finish the tournament in fourth place, a two-spot improvement after a sixth place finish in 2022.
- Overall, the Vikes finish the 2022-23 season with a 21-5 record.
UP NEXT
The Vikes have concluded the 2022-23 U SPORTS season.
TOURNAMENT HONOURS
ALL-CANADIANS
Diego Maffia, First Team
Renoldo Robinson, All-Rookie Team
PLAYERS OF THE GAME
Game 1:
Diego Maffia
Game 2:
Dominick Oliveri
Game 3:
Diego Maffia
