VICTORIA, BC – In what would be a close game until the very end, the undefeated Saskatchewan Huskies would ultimately defeat the Victoria Vikes with a final fourth-quarter push to claim a 69-61 victory on Friday evening at CARSA Performance Gym. 

THE HIGHLIGHTS

• Victoria opened the game scoring with a jumper before Saskatchewan responded with a layup to make the score 2-2 with 8:51 to play in the first quarter.

• A quick 6-0 run from the Huskies gave the visiting side an 18-9 advantage with just over 1:30 to play in the first frame, leading to a 21-9 lead after the first 10 minutes of play.

• Saskatchewan came out strong at the start of the second quarter, extending their lead to 18 points, 28-10, over the first three minutes.

• Though Saskatchewan scored the first point of the third quarter, the Vikes responded with a three and a free throw to trail the Huskies by five, 38-33, with 8:52 to go in the third quarter.

• The Vikes would go on a seven-point run to put the Vikes in front, 50-49 with 1:22 remaining in the third quarter.

• Saskatchewan scored the final four points of the third to hold a 53-50 lead going into the fourth quarter. Failure to catch up to the Huskies over the final 10 minutes, the Huskies ultimately defeated the Vikes 69-61. 

THE STATS

• Saskatchewan's Tea DeMong and Victoria's Tana Pankratz would lead the scoring race with 14 points each. 

• The Huskies would shoot 42.9% in field goals, 29.6% from the three, and 50% from the line. The Vikes would follow, shooting 39.5% in field goals, but outshoot the Huskies from the three-point line, shooting 36.4% and shooting 70.4% from the line.

• Victoria's Karis De Pavia and Tana Pankratz would lead in rebounds, having 7 rebounds each.

• Tea DeMong would lead the game in steals having 8 on the night.

• Andrea Dodig (SSK) would lead in assists with 7.

THE STANDINGS

The U Sports and Canada West number 1-ranked Huskies remain unbeaten at 15-0, while the Vikes move to 4-9 after the first of two games this weekend. 

THE NEXT ONE

The Vikes and Huskies will complete the two-game series tomorrow, Jan. 27, at 5 p.m. at CARSA Performance Gym.