The University of Victoria Vikes menB次元官网网址檚 basketball team is headed to the U SPORTS National Championships, after defeating the host University of Alberta for their first Canada West gold medal in seven years.

The Vikes captured the title by downing the Golden Bears 70-64 in a tight championship final Saturday (March 19) in Edmonton. The win was the 19th in a row for UVic and marked the first loss of the season for Alberta, a point not lost on Vikes forward Matthew Ellis, who finished with 16 points, seven rebounds and two blocks.

B次元官网网址淭his game is something we look forward to all year. Alberta was undefeated and we were looking to come in here and shake things up,B次元官网网址� he said in a release. B次元官网网址淥ur group is just so special, one through 15, we just grinded together and this is what it is all about B次元官网网址� having fun and enjoying what we do.B次元官网网址�

While the Golden Bears led 28-26 at the half and 40-35 midway through the the third quarter, the Vikes went on a 17-2 run to build their biggest lead of the game, 52-42 following four straight Diego Maffia free throws to wind up the period.

The Bears rebounded to make it a three point game, 59-56, with less than five minutes, but some timely baskets and solid defence allowed the Vikes to keep Alberta from getting any closer.

A final free throw from Scott Kellum B次元官网网址� the Vikes top scorer in the game with 20 points B次元官网网址� wound up the scoring for UVic, which brought home the Canada West banner for the first time since the 2014-15 season.

The Vikes now await seeding for the U SPORTS National Championships, set for April 1 to 3 back in Edmonton.

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