VICTORIA – The University of Victoria Vikes men's basketball team needed all four quarters to find their way, 85-73, over the Saskatchewan Huskies on Day 1 of the Guy Vetrie Memorial Tournament on Sept. 27 at the CARSA Performance Gym in Victoria. This is the first pre-season game for both teams that will also face Manitoba and Ryerson in the four-team tournament. Ryerson ousted Manitoba, 86-71, in the first game of the night.
 
The Vikes were led by fifth-year guard Jordan Charles who finished the night with 22 points, three assists and seven rebounds and 15 of his points came in the second half. Third years Jason Scully and Scott Kellum added 15 and 13 points, respectively, while freshman Aaron Tesfagiorgis was impressive in his debut with 11 points.
 
For the Huskies, fifth year Lawrence Moore, a 2017-18 Canada West Second Team All Star, was the games highest scorer as he finished with 28 points, six rebounds and seven steals. Moore put up three three-pointers, while fellow fifth year Joseph Barker logged 12 points and seven boards. Third-year guard Chan De Ciman was key kog to the wheel that got the Huskies up by as much as seven points late in the third, as the Regina native had 11 points and three steals.
 
The opening quarter was a level game as the Vikes edged the Huskies 19-18. The Vikes were able to find their strides in the second quarter putting in three shots from distance and shooting nearly 50 per cent from the line. Moore and Barker kept the Huskies in it adding 12 and 10 points, respectively, in the first half. The Vikes held on to a 38-30 lead entering half time.
 
The break was a needed recharge for the Huskies who clawed their way back. Moore's scoring ran the floor as he put up back-to-back buckets to cut the Vikes' lead to two at 41-39. Chan De Ciman followed with a jump shot and moments later two from the line to get the Huskies back within one, down 44-43. From there, the Huskies dominated as Moore put in a dagger three with four minutes on the clock to give the visitors a 50-46 lead. Senior Vike Charles secured a timely and-one play and a few plays later a free throw from the line to keep the game close with Saskatchewan up 52-50.
 
The Huskies capitalized on 16 Vikes turnovers to out-score the home team 30-25 in the third but the Vikes did the work to come back with a 63-60 lead entering the final quarter.
 
The Vikes out-scored the Huskies 22-13 in the final stretch en route to an 85-73 victory. The win was particularly positive for the home side who showcased six new faces, while the talents of Jake Newman, Hayden Lejeune and Mason Loewen were rested.
 
 
Up next for Saskatchewan is a game against Ryerson at 5:00 p.m. on Friday. All tournament games are broadcast live by pay-per-view at canadawest.tv and live stats can be found at canadawest.org.
 
SCORING SUMMARY
            1          2          3          4:         F         
SSK:     18        12        30        13:       73
VIC:      19        19        25        22:       85
 
SCORING LEADERS
SSK: Lawrence Moore (28), Joseph Barker (12), Chan De Ciman (11)
VIC: Jordan Charles (22), Jason Scully (15), Scott Kellum (13), Aaron Tesfagiorgis (11)
 
2018 Guy Vetrie Memorial Tournament
 
September 27, 2018
6:00 p.m. – Ryerson (86) vs. Manitoba (71)
8:00 p.m. – Victoria (85) vs. Saskatchewan (73)
 
September 28, 2018
4:00 p.m. – Ryerson vs. Saskatchewan
6:00 p.m. – Victoria men vs. Manitoba
8:00 p.m. – Victoria women vs. UNBC
 
September 29, 2018
3:00 p.m. – Victoria women vs. UNBC
5:00 p.m. – Manitoba vs. Saskatchewan
7:00 p.m. – Victoria men vs. Ryerson
 
Live PPV Webcast: canadawest.tv
Live Stats: canadawest.org