MBB: Fourth quarter momentum pushes Victoria past Regina in quarterfinal matchup
February 18, 2023
VICTORIA - The top-seeded Victoria Vikes defeated the eighth-seeded Regina Cougars, 88-70, in the quarterfinal round of the Canada West playoffs at CARSA Performance Gym, Feb. 18.
The Vikes improve to 18-3 with the win, while Regina ends their Canada West season with an overall record of 11-11.
"A lot of credit to Regina, they have a bunch of seniors on that team that didn't want to play their last game and battled us from start to finish," said Victoria head coach Craig Beaucamp.
Regina's Carter Millar was the game's top point-scorer, recording 31 points on 11-for-25 shooting, including a game-high seven three-pointers. Millar recorded a double-double, adding 13 rebounds to his stat line. Brayden Kuski added a 14-point, eight-rebound night for the Cougars, playing all 40 minutes in the loss.
"We were right where we wanted to be at the start of the fourth quarter in a one-possession game," noted Regina head Coach Steve Burrows. "It obviously got away from us in the fourth quarter, but I thought our guys battled from start to finish. [Victoria] is a good team."
After an 0-9 start, Victoria's Diego Maffia heated up to lead the Vikes with a 30-point performance, adding eight rebounds and a team-high nine assists and four steals. Three more Vikes finished with double-figure scoring performances in Elias Ralph (20), Renoldo Robinson (12), and Izzy Helman (11). Dominick Oliveri led UVic on the boards with 10 rebounds.
The Cougars and Vikes knocked down a combined five three-pointers to open the game scoring, with the Cougars taking a 9-6 lead over the hosts. Remaining a tight game through the remainder of the opening frame, the Cougars held a 15-14 lead after 10 minutes of play. Trading baskets throughout the second, the two sides entered halftime tied, 33-33.
A three from Victoria's Diego Maffia at the buzzer gave the Vikes a 55-52 lead after three quarters of play, setting the up a momentum push that would ultimately lead the Vikes to victory. Slowly extending their lead throughout the fourth, the Vikes held Regina scoreless for the final three minutes of play to claim an 88-70 victory in the quarterfinals.
Victoria will host a semifinal round matchup Friday, Feb. 24 at CARSA Performance Gym.
The Vikes improve to 18-3 with the win, while Regina ends their Canada West season with an overall record of 11-11.
"A lot of credit to Regina, they have a bunch of seniors on that team that didn't want to play their last game and battled us from start to finish," said Victoria head coach Craig Beaucamp.
Regina's Carter Millar was the game's top point-scorer, recording 31 points on 11-for-25 shooting, including a game-high seven three-pointers. Millar recorded a double-double, adding 13 rebounds to his stat line. Brayden Kuski added a 14-point, eight-rebound night for the Cougars, playing all 40 minutes in the loss.
"We were right where we wanted to be at the start of the fourth quarter in a one-possession game," noted Regina head Coach Steve Burrows. "It obviously got away from us in the fourth quarter, but I thought our guys battled from start to finish. [Victoria] is a good team."
After an 0-9 start, Victoria's Diego Maffia heated up to lead the Vikes with a 30-point performance, adding eight rebounds and a team-high nine assists and four steals. Three more Vikes finished with double-figure scoring performances in Elias Ralph (20), Renoldo Robinson (12), and Izzy Helman (11). Dominick Oliveri led UVic on the boards with 10 rebounds.
The Cougars and Vikes knocked down a combined five three-pointers to open the game scoring, with the Cougars taking a 9-6 lead over the hosts. Remaining a tight game through the remainder of the opening frame, the Cougars held a 15-14 lead after 10 minutes of play. Trading baskets throughout the second, the two sides entered halftime tied, 33-33.
A three from Victoria's Diego Maffia at the buzzer gave the Vikes a 55-52 lead after three quarters of play, setting the up a momentum push that would ultimately lead the Vikes to victory. Slowly extending their lead throughout the fourth, the Vikes held Regina scoreless for the final three minutes of play to claim an 88-70 victory in the quarterfinals.
Victoria will host a semifinal round matchup Friday, Feb. 24 at CARSA Performance Gym.