VICTORIA – The University of Victoria men's basketball team defeated the University of British Columbia Okanagan, 101-76, Jan. 5 at CARSA Performance Gym to open its 2024 game slate.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• The Vikes took a 5-0 lead on a three by Izzy Helman and a Diego Maffia layup, but the Heat used their next two possessions to tie the game, 5-5, with 7:30 to play in the first quarter.
• Griffin Arnatt's three gave the Vikes their first 10-point lead of the night, 22-12, and was followed by a Renoldo Robinson floater to bring the Vikes' lead to 24-12 with just under two minutes to play in the opening quarter.
• After the first 10 minutes of play, the Vikes held a 27-17 advantage over the Heat.
• UBCO's run brought the Heat within five, 37-32, with 4:33 to go until halftime.
• Two-straight layups by Maffia ended the Heat's threat, putting the Vikes back ahead, 41-32 with four minutes to play in the second.
• Forcing a UBCO timeout, Ethan Boag's put-back restored the Vikes' lead to double-digits, 48-37. The Vikes took a 52-39 lead into the halftime break.
• Extending the Vikes' lead to 20 points in the third quarter, Shadynn Smid's jumper put the Vikes ahead, 67-47 with three minutes to play.
• After three quarters of play, the Vikes had a 75-59 advantage over the Heat.
• Keeping the Heat at a distance over the final 10 minutes, the Vikes came away with a 101-76 victory.

WORTH NOTING

• Maffia's 21 points led the Vikes, with the fourth-year adding four steals, four assists, and three rebounds for the Vikes.
• Elias Ralph posted his first double-double of the year with 16 points and 11 rebounds.
• Rounding out the double-digit scorers for Victoria were Arnatt and Robinson with 15 and 11 points, respectively.
• The Vikes move to 6-1 with the win, while UBCO drops to 2-7 with the loss. 

UP NEXT
The Vikes and Heat play the final game of the series tomorrow, Jan. 6 at 7 p.m.