Kelowna, B.C. - The University of Victoria women's basketball battled to the finish, taking a 76-70 overtime win on the road over the University of British Columbia, Feb. 14.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
Vikes battle back in first, take lead in second

• Though a 7-0 run for the Heat resulted in a 13-4 lead for the home side, four points from Mimi Sigue and three Karis de Paiva free throws over the final 1:28 of the first brought the Vikes back within two, 13-11, at the end of the first quarter.
• Makena Anderson gave the Vikes their first lead of the night in the opening possession of the second quarter, hitting a three for the 14-13 Vikes lead.
• Swapping the lead, six-straight UBCO points put the Heat up by five,19-14, with 7:54 to go. Quickly finding a response, an 11-point Vikes run from Natalie Allison and Anderson three's, a Sigue and-one on the fastbreak layup, and a jumper from Jenna Talib put the visiting side on top, 25-19, with 5:57 until halftime.
• de Paiva's three-pointer marked the final points of the first half to bring the halftime score to 31-23 in favour of the Vikes.

Two more lead changes mark third quarter

• 16 Heat points to the Vikes' five in the third quarter saw UBCO re-take the lead, 39-36, with three minutes to go in the frame.
• Putting points on Victoria's side of the board, a de Paiva layup pulled Vikes within one, 39-38. After a Heat jumper, Talib knocked down a three to even the score, 41-41, with two minutes to go in the third.
• A three-pointer from UBCO kept the home side in front by three, 44-41, but was quickly narrowed to one on a Sigue turnaround jumper with 41 seconds to go, 44-43.
• Having the final possession of the quarter, a big offensive rebound-turned-assist by Abigail Becker got the ball to Jade Dittmer with less than two seconds still on the clock. Dittmer hit the three at the buzzer to put the Vikes back in the lead, 46-44, entering the fourth quarter.

Heat ties it in fourth, Vikes win it in overtime

• Opening the final frame on an Anderson three and Talib swipe-and-score, Victoria's lead read 51-44 with 8:46 to go.
• Though the Heat pulled back within three, 52-49, the quick run was quickly halted by a Becker and-one, Tegan Michel two, and another Becker layup for the 10-point Vikes lead, 59-49, with five minutes to play.
• A pair of free throws by UBCO pulled the Heat within one, 61-60, until a Sigue jumper ended the 11-point run for the home side, putting the Vikes up 63-60 with 1:18 still on the clock.
• A free throw from the Heat tied the game, 63-63, with four seconds left, sending the game to overtime after the Vikes were unable to score in the final seconds of regulation.
• Opening the overtime scoring was a three from Allison, followed by a Meike Boerstra jumper and Anderson layup to the Heat's lone jumper that put the Vikes ahead by five, 70-65, with three minutes to go in overtime.
• de Paiva sealed the 76-70 win for the Vikes with a pair of free throws in the final 20 seconds.

WORTH NOTING

• Mimi Sigue led the Vikes with 13 points, adding seven rebounds and a team-high five steals in the win.
• Karis de Paiva finished with 12 points, while Abigail Becker and Makena Anderson each finished 11.
• Natalie Allison and Jenna Talib recorded 10 points each, with the 10 points being a season-high for Talib.
• Becker added a career-high 16 rebounds en route to her eighth double-double of the season.
• The Vikes have now played in three overtime games this season, going 3-0 in those contests.
• Victoria marked its 12th Canada West victory of the season with the win, marking the most for the Vikes in conference season play under head coach Carrie Watts (previous best: 11).
• Victoria improves to 12-7 on the year with the win, while UBCO falls to 6-13.

UP NEXT
The Vikes close the Canada West regular season tomorrow, Feb. 15 against the Heat. Catch the game on Canada West TV presented by BioSteel.