In the end, the University of Victoria Vikes were simply too much for the UNBC Timberwolves.
The Vikes beat the female T-wolves 79-69 Friday night in CIS Canada West women's basketball action at the Northern Sport Centre in Prince George.
Victoria improves to 8-5 in the CIS West Pacific Division, while UNBC falls to 4-9 in the same division.
Controlling the boards appeared to be the difference in the game, as UVic out-rebounded UNBC 49-29 on the glass. Victoria pulled down 26 defensive rebounds, compared to eight offensive rebounds by the T-wolves.
It wasn't as if UNBC didn't put up a fight though.
The T-wolves only trailed 42-39 after 20 minutes, thanks to the strong second quarter play of fifth-year veteran Mercedes Van Koughnett, who collected 13 of her 17 total points. She sunk three consecutive shots from the three-point arc for a slim 31-29 lead at the 5:30 mark.
It could've been a lot worse as the Vikes ran out to a 11-0 in the first four minutes to begin the game.
Van Koughnett was kept quiet in the second half, as the University of Victoria took control of the game in the third quarter and led 63-53, thanks to eight points from fourth-year guard Cassandra Goodis.
UNBC came within five points of the Vikes, but Victoria maintained the lead and secured the win.
The T-wolves connected on 31 of their 64 shots for a 48.4 shooting percentage, compared to Victoria's 40.8 per cent.
Victoria made 72.2 per cent of their free-throws, good on 13 of 18 of their shots.
Fifth-year forward Emily Kaehn also had a strong performance for UNBC, netting 17 points and grabbing a team-leading six rebounds on the glass.
Sarah Robin, a fourth-year forward, collected 15 points, and rookie Mavia Nijjer rounded out the
scoring for UNBC with 14 points.
Goodis was the top-scorer for UVic with 16 points.
In men's action, UVic overcame an early 22-19 deficit in the first quarter to defeat UNBC Timberwolves 85-57.
The Vikes, ranked No. 5 in the CIS, secured their 11th win of the season to improve to 11-2 and
remain atop the CIS Canada West Pacific Division.
UNBC meanwhile, falls to 4-9 to sit seventh in the same Pacific Division.
Victoria used their strong transition game and fast break-out system to dominate the T-wolves.
Charles Barton, a fifth-year marketing student, led all T-wolves with 21 points.
He was the only player to reach double digits in scoring. Daniel Stark and Jibreel Stevens were next with eight points.
Victoria had a more balanced attack as five players scored in the double digits, led by Terrell Evans with 19 points and 13 rebounds off the glass.
Trailing 47-35 after 20 minutes, UNBC made only 20 per cent of their shots in the second half.
Both UVic squads are remaining in Prince George today for another road tilt against UNBC.
Tip-off is 6 p.m. for the women, and the men follow at 8 p.m. at the Northern Sport Centre.
