VICTORIA – Claiming their first win of the year, the University of Victoria women's basketball team took down the University of British Columbia Okanagan, 76-63, Jan. 6 at CARSA Performance Gym.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• Though UBCO put the first points of the game on the board, the Vikes quickly took the lead on a Tana Pankratz free throw and Abigail Becker tip-in on the second shot to take a 5-3 lead with 7:52 remaining in the first quarter.
• Going back-and-forth, the Vikes maintained a small lead over the Heat until a UBCO three-pointer and ensuing run gave the visiting side a 24-16 lead with 30 seconds to go in the quarter.
• Ending the Heat's run, Makena Anderson knocked down a three to bring the first quarter score to 24-19 in favour of UBCO.
• Opening the second quarter with a Becker layup and Tegan MacKinnon three, the Vikes pulled even at 24-24 in the first minute of action.
• Continuing on their 13-0 run to open the second frame, a second MacKinnon three followed by a driving layup from Anderson and two free throws by Mimi Sigue put the home team ahead, 31-24, with seven minutes until halftime.
• With 3:26 to play, Pankratz gave Victoria its first double-digit lead, 39-28. The Vikes remained ahead to take a 41-31 lead into the halftime break.
• The Heat found the advantage in the third quarter, using a 9-0 run to pull even with the Vikes, 49-49 with just over a minute to go.
• A three from Karis de Paiva put an end to the Heat's run and sent the game into the final quarter of play with Victoria in front, 52-49.
• Opening the fourth on back-to-back layups from Becker, the Vikes took a 56-49 lead with eight minutes remaining in the game.
• Four-straight points from Sigue put UVic back ahead by 10, 67-57, with 3:32 to play.
• Maintaining the lead for the remaining time, the Vikes sealed the 76-63 win over the Heat.

WORTH NOTING

• No shooting fouls were surrendered to UBCO in the first half.
• The Vikes made six three's in the first half, an improvement after making none in the game prior.
• Becker recorded her first double-double of the year, tying her career-high in points with 29 and setting a new career-high in rebounds with 14.
• Anderson, Sigue and MacKinnon each finished with nine points in the win, while Pankratz had team-highs in assists (4) and blocks (2) for the Vikes.
• The Vikes grabbed their first win of the year and improve to 1-7 with the win, while UBCO sits at 5-5 with the loss.

UP NEXT
The Vikes begin a four-game road set at Trinity Western University, Jan. 12-13.