VICTORIA, B.C. – The No. 10 University of Victoria Vikes men's basketball team started off their 2014-15 CIS campaign earning three points after a 72-63 win over the Regina Cougars on Oct. 31 at McKinnon Gym. The Canada West home opener means the Vikes are now 1-0 in the Pioneers Division, while the Cougars (0-1) will have a chance to redeem themselves tomorrow, Nov. 1, in game two of the double header in Victoria.
 
Lone fifth-year forward Chris McLaughlin excelled in the second half to finish with the games only double-double of 21 points and 11 boards. The Vikes were also lead by the athleticism of fourth-year point guard Marcus Tibbs who had 17 points, six rebounds and three assists. Second year Patrick Pilato was a spitfire in the fourth quarter to finish the night with 11 points and seven rebounds.
 
For the Cougars fourth-year guard Jonathan Tull was solid in both ends of the court to total 13 points, while adding seven rebounds. Third-year forward Travis Sylvestre was also consistent throughout the match finishing with 13 points. Alex Igual had a team-high 15 points and seven rebounds in the game.
 
In the opening minutes the home team came out of the gate with a 10-4 run thanks to eight points from Mack Roth. Three pointers from each of Mike Malecha and Sylvestre helped the Cougars play catch up, while the Vikes lead 17-14 after the first 10 minutes of play. Victoria did well to find the inside lanes, earning 10 points from in the paint and eight off Regina turnovers.
 
In the second Sylvestre and Brandon Tull combined for the majority of the Cougars' nine points, while Victoria totaled 15 in the second frame. Buckets from Jeremy Leonard-Smith and Tibbs helped the home team gain as much as a 12-point lead with six minutes left in the opening half.
 
Both teams struggled from distance as the Cougars were 2-for-13, while the Vikes were 1-for-8. Six-foot-10 fifth year McLaughlin was held to only four first-half points as he was matched up well with Regina's six-foot-eight Will Tallman and six-foot-ten Michael Hudson.
 
It was a much tighter race in the third quarter as Jonathan Tull came to life for the visitors nailing two threes and putting in a couple of shots from the line. The Cougars edged the Vikes 18-17 in third-quarter scoring but Vikes Pilato and Jordan Charles came off the bench well to keep the Vikes in it. The Cougars showed quality efforts in their defensive end but struggled offensively going 29.5 per cent from the field.
 
Pilato drained a three-pointer at the shot clock buzzer to secure the Vikes' 10-point lead, 61-51, halfway through the fourth. Adding the late scoring efforts of McLaughlin and point guard Tibbs, Victoria were able to hold their edge over the visitors. Regina continued to knock on the door as the talents of Igual, Sylvestre and brothers Jonathan and Brandon Tull continued to be good in the transition. It was not enough though as the home team fended off Regina to finish with a 72-63 win.
 
The Vikes and Cougars will rematch tomorrow, Nov. 1, for the second game of this Pioneers Division double header. The teams will tip off at 7 p.m. at McKinnon Gym with the game being broadcast with live video and stats at uvic.canadawest.tv.

SCORING SUMMARY
REG: 14-9-18-22 : 63
UVIC: 17-15-17-23 : 72
 
SCORING LEADERS
REG: Alex Igual (15), Jonathan Tull (14), Travis Sylvestre (13)
UVIC: Chris McLaughlin (21), Marcus Tibbs (17), Patrick Pilato (11)

by Ali Lee, Vikes Communications (govikesgo.com)

Photo: Armando Tura (APShutter.com)