The third time is the charm.
With a final second push at the Physical Activity Complex in Saskatoon, the University of Victoria Vikes defeated the host-University of Saskatchewan Huskies 70-67 in the Canada West men's basketball championship final.
It was the third straight season the Vikes appeared in the final and only win in that span.
After a comeback third quarter by the Huskies to lead 60-56 heading into the final 10 minutes, Canada West Most Valuable Player Chris McLaughlin pushed Victoria back to tie the game at 65 with 3:44 left. All-Star Marcus Tibbs put the Vikes ahead with a jumper on the next trip down the court. Two Matthew Forbes free throws tied the game back at 67 but Tibbs once again gave the Vikes the lead. A missed Saskatchewan three-pointer with seven seconds left sealed Victoria's championship win.
Tibbs led the Vikes in the win tallying a game-high 25 points, while McLaughlin registered a double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds. Mack Roth added another 10 points and nine rebounds.
Canada West Defensive Player of the Year Ben Baker led the Huskies in the game with a double-double recording 21 points and 10 rebounds. Evan Ostertag added another 17 points from the bench for Saskatchewan, while Forbes added 13 points.
The Vikes jumped to a 7-3 lead to open the first quarter, but Huskie Mike Scott hit a three to tie the game at 20 to end the first quarter.
Victoria went on a 6-0 run to start the second frame before Ostertag hit a three from the top of the arc. Huskie shooters went cold midway through the second and the Vikes grew an 11-point lead. Baker hit a jump shot at the buzzer to cut the Vikes lead to nine at 42-31 at halftime.
A 4-0 Saskatchewan run started the second half before Roth hit a long three to restore an eight-point lead. A Forbes three started an 18-1 run by the Huskies to give Saskatchewan a 54-45 lead. Saskatchewan held a 60-56 lead after the third.
Victoria finished the night shooting at 41%, while Saskatchewan shot at 39%.
Both teams advance to the CIS Final 8 hosted by the Ryerson University Rams March 12-15 in Toronto.