VICTORIA, BC – Despite desperate efforts, the Saskatchewan Huskies found themselves on a steep slope downwards as the high-ranked Victoria Vikes took the lead and never looked back, eventually defeating the Huskies 87-42 on Friday night at CARSA Performance Gym.
 

THE HIGHLIGHTS

• The Vikes opened the night with 13 straight points, taking hold of the lead right from the start over the Huskies. The Vikes eclipsed the 20-point mark with two minutes left to play in the first, ending the quarter with a 25-12 lead over the Huskies. 

• Vic opened the scoring in the second with a jump shot after rebounding and gaining possession of the ball off a missed three-pointer by the Huskies. The Vikes would reach forty at the halfway mark of the second, with the Huskies trailing by 24. The Huskies would continue to trail with an occasional basket to make it 23-48 at the end of the first half.

• The Vikes once again opened the scoring in the third quarter to reach 50 points but was quickly followed by two jumpers in a row from Kymahni Bent. Vic would add an additional 13 points by the halfway point and close out the quarter, leading the Huskies 65-38.

• The fourth quarter would continue to be controlled by the Vikes, only allowing the Huskies to score twice more (4 pts) before finishing off the game 87-42 over Sask.

THE STATS

• Victoria's Diego Maffia led the game with 25 points. Alexander Dewar would lead the Huskies in points with 10. 

• Griffin Arnatt (VIC) and Sergio Pereira (VIC) would lead the game in rebounds with 10 each. Huskies' Benjamin Rose would have 6 rebounds to lead for the Huskies.

• Victoria had a field goal average of 46.8%, shot 27.8% from the three-point line, and 60% from the free-throw line. Saskatchewan had a field goal average of 24.2% and shot 
   

THE STANDINGS

Victoria is ranked not only second in Canada West but second in the nation, with the win pushing their record to 10-3. The loss shifts Saskatchewan's record to 8-7. The Huskies sit in ninth in Canada West.
 

THE NEXT ONE

The Vikes and Huskies complete the two-game series tomorrow, Jan. 27 at 7:00 PM at CARSA Performance Gym.