VICTORIA – The University of Victoria women's basketball team completed the weekend sweep of the University of Northern British Columbia, Nov. 9, with a 70-60 win in CARSA Performance Gym.
 
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
Back-and-forth first half results in one-point Vikes lead

• The Timberwolves took a 12-6 lead early on, but the Vikes fought back to tie it, 14-14, on a layup from Avery King with just under four minutes to go in the first quarter.
• Taking a 20-18 lead on a pair of free throws and fast break layup from Abigail Becker, UNBC responded with a three to take a 21-20 lead. However, Becker would nail one more layup in the final minute to give the Vikes a 22-21 lead after 10 minutes of play.
• The back-and-forth affair continued throughout the second quarter. Though the Timberwolves grew their lead to six, 31-25, two Becker layups and a Makena Anderson free throw pulled the Vikes even at the halfway point of the second quarter.
• Anderson scored the final 10 points of the quarter for the Vikes, and with a defensive stop in the final UNBC possession of the frame, gave the Vikes a 41-40 lead at the halftime break.

Third quarter defence helps Vikes weather scoring drought

• Though the Vikes' lead grew to seven points, 49-42, halfway through the third, a two-minute scoreless stretch allowed the Timberwolves to regain some ground. However, the Vikes defence allowed just eight points to the Timberwolves in the third quarter, resulting in a 50-48 lead in favour of the Vikes at the end of the third quarter.

14-3 run over final six minutes seals win for Vikes

• UNBC took the lead to open the fourth quarter, 52-50, but a free throw each from Anderson and Becker brought the game back even, 52-52, before a Becker layup put UVic back in front, 54-52, with just under eight minutes to play.
• Four-straight points from Karis de Paiva and a Mimi Sigue free throw gave the Vikes a seven point lead, 66-59, with three minutes to go.
• Another Sigue free throw followed by a three from de Paiva in the final two minutes finalized the Vikes' win, 70-60.

FROM THE COURT – Karis de Paiva
"I thought tonight's game was good. There were a few turnovers and a few low spots we had, but we were able to close it out in the end. Overall a really good team win. Coming up, the teams we're playing are going to be really physical and really strong, so I think we have to work some things out in practice over the next couple weeks, but I think it will be good. We're ready for it."
 
WORTH NOTING

• Abigail Becker led the Vikes with 18 points, and tied with Mimi Sigue to lead the Vikes with nine rebounds. Sigue recorded 11 points.
• Makena Anderson added 16 points, five rebounds, and two assists in the win.
• The Vikes' 35.8% (24-67) field goal shooting marked their second-best shooting night of the year.
• Victoria moves to 3-1 on the year with the win, while UNBC drops to 1-3. 

UP NEXT
The Vikes begin a four-game road stretch to close the 2024 slate, heading to the University of British Columbia, Nov. 15-16. Catch the games on Canada West TV presented by BioSteel.