Victoria, BC – The University of Victoria men's basketball team fell to the University of British Columbia, 85-76, on February 6, at CARSA Performance Gym.
 
Fast-paced offensive first half led to a Vikes' double-digit lead.

• Both teams wanted to start fast as the offences were prepared to run. The baskets were plentiful as the Vikes were the first to capture a substantial lead. A run of hot three-point shooting had the Vikes ahead 28-21 at the end of the first quarter.
• After enduring a Thunderbirds' scoring barrage, the Vikes responded with an offensive surge of their own. A tough Ethan Boag basket extended the Vikes' lead to 10 points.
• Dylan Gage and his shooting from beyond the arc helped Victoria fend off the Thunderbirds as they fought to climb back into the ball game.
• Gage's three first-half three pointers were a large part of the Vikes holding a 49-39 halftime lead.

 
 
Thunderbirds battle back in the third,

• UBC would not go away quietly as they clawed back into the ballgame with a 19-14 third quarter, cutting the Vikes' lead to 63-58 with the fourth quarter left to play.
• The Thunderbirds opened the fourth quarter with three made three pointers in a row, erasing the Vikes' lead and propelling the T-Birds to their first lead of the game, 69-63.
• At the media timeout in the fourth, the Vikes trailed 73-67, setting up an exciting finish with the two top teams in the Canada West Pacific Division.
• The Thunderbirds held on for the win and will force tomorrow's match to be for the winner of the Canada West Pacific Division.

 
Notables

• The Vikes fall to 16-3 on the season, while the Thunderbirds improve to 15-4.
• Renoldo Robinson led the Vikes in scoring as he buried 21 points.
• Shadyn Smid cleaned the glass with a game-high 12 rebounds and added 10 points for the double-double.

 
The Vikes and Thunderbirds will meet again tomorrow, February 7, at CARSA Performance Gym, and the winner will take the top spot in the Pacific Division.