Scheduled Game: VICTORIA*

97

GAME RESULTS 1 2 T Victoria 49 48 97 « FINAL Trinity Western 36 25 61

61

Game Recap

Men’s Basketball (Canada West)
Saturday, October 28, 2006
UVIC (97) TWU (61)

SPARTANS STRUGGLE AGAINST VIKES
UVIC slows down TWU and out-scores them 97-61

LANGLEY, British Columbia – The Trinity Western University gymnasium was filled with electric energy from the previous night’s triple overtime clash with the UBC Thunderbirds, but was dampened when the University of Victoria Vikes earned a 30 point lead and held onto it.  There were signs of a comeback, but it just didn’t come together for the run-and-gun Spartans in the 97-61 loss.

The Vikes were able to break the Spartan pressure and score on the break.  They also managed to record 19 steals as a team, while only turning the ball over 16 times compared to TWU’s 26.  The statistics suggest that UVIC beat TWU at their own game, forcing turnovers and scoring off the break, and to an extent, that may have been the case.  But the Vikes pose a tough match-up for the Spartans, who are without their biggest inside presence, Michael Brouwer (3rd year, Nanaimo, B.C.) who sat out with an ankle injury.

“Victoria gives us problems without Michael Brouwer,” admitted TWU Head Coach Stan Peters, “We have a hard time matching up with their size inside, but apart from that we still have to be able to play and execute.”

Victoria guard Brandon Ellis (Campbell River, B.C.) scored 23 on 8-15 shooting, including three from downtown, while Josh Whyte (Calgary, A.B.) scored 20 and had 5 assists.  It wasn’t TWU’s defense that was lack-luster.  Luke Robinson (4th year, Ahousat, B.C.) was the high scorer for the Spartans with 13.

The Vikes defense was able to take advantage of a Spartan team that wasn’t executing the way they can, wasn’t finding the open man as promptly as they’ve shown they are capable, and wasn’t forcing their opponent to keep up with them the whole game.

“We stopped playing fast enough and we started playing too individually,” said Peters, “but it’s a learning process, and we’ll go over those things, and we’ll get ready for next week.”

Victoria pulled ahead in the early-goings leading 26-14 midway through the first half.  A couple threes by TWU’s Michael Erickson (3rd year, Aldergrove, B.C.) hit two threes to close the margin to 32-26 with 7:18 remaining in the half.

In the second half, the Vikes took off and never looked back.  With 10:28 left in the game, the Vikes secured a 30 point lead (77-47), after-which they refused to give an inch, closing out the game in fine form against a tireless Spartan crew that worked until the final buzzer.

The Trinity Western University Spartans look to rebound next weekend when they host the University of Regina Friday, November 3, 2006 at 8:00 pm and Brandon University November 4, 2006 at 8:00 pm.

Game Notes: UVIC out-rebounded TWU 33-20...steals UVIC 19 TWU 5...turnovers UVIC 16 TWU 26... Four Vikes finished with three steals a piece: Josh Whyte (Calgary, A.B.), Jacob Doerksen (Abbotsford, B.C.), Steve Moore (Victoria, B.C.), and Cyril Indome (Winnipeg, M.B.)...

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