Mark Janzen, Trinity Western University
LANGLEY, B.C. – The University of Victoria had four different players hit double-digits in scoring, as the Vikes rolled to an 85-62 win over Trinity Western Friday at the Langley Events Centre.
Jason Scully had a game-high 21 points to lead Victoria (2-3), who built a 31-19 lead at the break before pulling away during the third quarter and cruising to the finish line in the final frame.
After the Spartans (0-5) went up 9-2 early in the first quarter, the Vikes responded with a 13-2 run to end the quarter and take the lead for good. Victoria held TWU to just eight points in the second quarter and the result was never in doubt the rest of the way.
Amongst the Vikes quartet to hit double-digits, Justin Kinnear tallied 15 points, Taylor Montgomery-Stinson had 14 points and Scott Kellum had 11 points.
The Spartans Josiah Allison (Abbotsford, B.C.) had 15 points – all of which came in the second half – to lead his team in scoring. Vartan Tanielian (White Rock, B.C.) had 14 points and Daniel Stead (Langley) added 10.
Victoria out-rebounded TWU 50-38. The Vikes shot 41 per cent from the field, while TWU shot 38.1 per cent.
TWU got off to a quick start, opening a seven-point lead before the Vikes started roll, taking a 15-11 lead through 10 minutes.
A Max Viitala (Melbourne, Australia) lay-up put the Spartans back on even terms, at 15-15, early in the second quarter, only to see Victoria close out the half with a 16-4 run.
Out of the break, the Vikes continued to run away with the contest, going up 55-36 through three quarters.
A back-and-forth final frame never saw the Spartans threaten the Vikes lead. Both teams had their most efficient offensive performances in the fourth quarter, with Victoria shooting 63.2 per cent (12-19) and TWU shooting 55.6 per cent (10-18).
QUOTABLE
TWU Head Coach Aaron Muhic
"We played some of our best defence of the season and then in the second half, we played some of our worst defence of the season. If we can connect the dots and bring it together, we'd be much more competitive. We turned the ball over pretty consistently, which really started to snowball. We weren't focused enough. But I thought Dan Stead took a big step today. Him and Josiah Allison were good today.
"The key for tomorrow is for us to play harder and play more like a team and trust each other. I think we're pressing on offence a bit and I think we need to relax and then be more consistent on defence."
NOTABLE
• Victoria had 11 turnovers, while TWU had 18.
• TWU lost both games of its two-game series last year with the Vikes. However In the Saturday night game, the Spartans only lost by four points, 69-65.
• The Spartans have now lost 14 straight home games.
• TWU's last win on home court was Jan. 30, 2016 when the Spartans beat Brandon 87-78.
NEXT UP
The Spartans and Vikes play in a rematch Saturday at 7 p.m. (PT).
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