The Martlet

Two more games down, and  the Vikes now have  another  two victories under their belts as they  push their winning streak to nine straight games.

They’ll hope to keep that streak going with a home playoff series against the UBC Thunderbirds at McKinnon Gym this weekend, starting on Friday, Feb. 13.

With the second-place seed already locked up by the Vikes, Friday and Saturday’s two games were a tune-up to get ready for some intense playoff basketball. If these games were any indication of things to come, Canada West had better watch out for Kayla Dykstra.

On Friday night against the Fraser Valley Cascades, Dykstra scored a career-high 33 points and grabbed 13 rebounds in 30 minutes of action, leading the Vikes to a 78-52 victory. 

Ashley Yee chipped in with seven points and nine assists. Fraser Valley was led by Alexa McCarthy, who scored 13.

The Vikes pressure defence forced the Cascades to turn the ball over an incredible 33 times, leading to 31 points. UVic led the game from the start to the finish.

Saturday night brought the pacific division’s last place Thompson Rivers Wolfpack to McKinnon Gym.

Though their 3-18 record did not show it, the last time the Wolfpack played the Vikes, Thompson Rivers looked to have upset UVic before letting the Vikes score 10 straight points to win the game.

Thompson Rivers would not disappoint this weekend, as they came out looking to steal a win from the dominant Vikes. UVic started the game looking for fast break opportunities, but were unable to connect on a number of open plays.

The Wolfpack jumped out to an early lead by driving the ball to the basket and converting their lay-ups.

Thompson Rivers did not play particularly good defence, nor did they rebound the ball well. By shooting a high percentage, however, they managed to take an 18-14 lead into the second quarter.

The Vikes started the second quarter looking uninterested in this throwaway game. Their defensive rebounding was poor and they failed to box out Thompson River’s rebounders. Yet the Vikes remained close by forcing turnovers and were only down 30-28 at the half.

Whatever coach Brian Cheng said to the Vikes at halftime seemed to rally the team. Dykstra blocked two straight Wolfpack shots, and Debbie Yeboah nailed a three-pointer seconds after coming in off the bench.

Sarah Cameron of the Wolfpack knocked down two three-pointers to try and stop the Vikes onslaught, but the Vikes took a three-point lead into the fourth.

Michelle Lee scored four straight points to start the fourth quarter, then Dykstra scored a lay-up to give the Vikes a seven-point lead. Thompson Rivers could pull no closer as the Vikes pulled out the 65-56 win. 

“Thompson Rivers is a really tough team to play,” stated Cheng “[Their coach] did a great job of trying to take away Kayla [Dykstra]... but at the end of the day she still ended up with 21 points, 23 rebounds and eight blocks.”

Sarah Cameron and Diane Scheutze each scored 13 points for Thomson Rivers.

Michelle Lee scored 13 with four assists and Vanessa Forstbauer had nine points, eight rebounds and seven assists.

Winners of nine-straight (and 14 of their last 15) games, the Vikes look to keep their winning ways going with the UBC Thunderbirds coming to town next weekend.

“UBC are the reigning National Champions,” said Cheng “They have quite a bit of talent, they’re very big, very athletic.” 

The Vikes will be hosting their first playoff series since 2004. In the season series between UBC and UVic, the Vikes hold a 2-1 advantage, but their one loss did come on their home court where the series will be played.

The first game of the best-of-three series will be played on Friday night, Feb. 13, with a 7 p.m. tip-off.