The Martlet

The red-hot Vikes’ winning streak came to a crashing halt Feb. 14, as they lost two pivotal playoff games to the UBC Thunderbirds. Despite their heroic efforts, the Vikes are now done for the season.

With the score 62-62 and the series on the line, UBC came up with the veteran play by drawing the foul and put the Vikes out of the playoffs.

For the third time in the last four years, the Vikes took on the UBC Thunderbirds in the Pacific division semi-finals. The Vikes were unable to capitalize on their home-court advantage, however, and came up short.

On Friday, Feb. 13, UBC pounded the ball inside to their star Leanne Evans. Evans finished the game with 20 points, seven rebounds and six blocks. Evans managed to hold off the Vikes’ Kayla Dykstra, who finished with 13 points and 13 rebounds.

The Vikes held the early lead, but a 10-0 run before the half gave UBC the 31-24 halftime advantage. UBC held onto this lead the rest of the way, despite some late game heroics from the Vikes.

UVic’s Michelle Lee knocked down a couple of threes, and Dykstra hit one to bring the game within one basket. With three free-throw opportunities, the Vikes’ Jane Anholt had the chance to tie the game. After knocking down the first two, the third free throw was off. The game ended with UBC up 57-54 giving the T-Birds a 1-0 series advantage.

With the next game a must-win for the Vikes, UBC came out and made sure that there was no game three. With two free throws in the last second of play, UBC rookie Lia St. Pierre ended the Vikes’ season.

UBC held the lead from the first quarter until the third, where Dykstra hit a buzzer beater to give her team the 47-45 lead. The Vikes continued this momentum into the fourth, where they built a six-point lead, before St. Pierre jumpstarted a 12-1 run for the T-Birds.

With the clock running down and the score deadlocked at 62-62, UBC bled out the clock until there was next to no time left. Their first shot attempt was a miss, but St. Pierre handled the offensive rebound and forced the Vikes to foul. She made both attempts, her 12th and 13th points of the quarter. Ashley Yee led the way for the Vikes, scoring 18 in a losing effort.

“We played well,” said Vikes coach Brian Cheng after the series. “They are just a little more experienced. Four out of their five starters played in last year’s national championship and won.”

UBC will be moving on to SFU in the Pacific division finals, but the Vikes now have next season to look forward to. With the roster staying pretty much the same and having this playoff experience, the Vikes will look to build on this season.

“No one is graduating,” said Cheng, “and we are adding three very good players.”