The University of Victoria menB次元官网网址檚 basketball team came away with an unbelievable last-second win over UBC Saturday (Feb. 11) in what local star Diego Maffia and fifth-year forward Dominick Oliveri said was the best game of their careers.
Maffia put on a show in front of a sold-out crowd at the CARSA Performance Gym and scored 42 points, which was the most in a Canada West game this season.
Oliveri also came up huge with the last-second putback to secure the 94-92 overtime victory over the Thunderbirds. This was the first game-winner of his career.
B次元官网网址淢aking a game-winner is something IB次元官网网址檝e always dreamt about,B次元官网网址� Oliveri said. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 a feeling I canB次元官网网址檛 really describe, but itB次元官网网址檚 way better than I could have ever dreamt.B次元官网网址�
A Vikes win seemed incredibly unlikely as UBC had a 14-point lead with approximately three minutes left in regulation.
Local star Diego Maffia wills the back after being down 14 with less than three minutes remaining to force overtime. Dominick Oliveri then hits the first game-winner of his career with less than one second on the clock to beat the 94-92.
B次元官网网址� Brendan Mayer (@BrendanMayer)
B次元官网网址淚t was scary for sure, but we never give up,B次元官网网址� Maffia said. B次元官网网址淭hatB次元官网网址檚 our motto.B次元官网网址�
The crowd came alive as UVic went on a 10-0 run, which sparked a Thunderbirds timeout with 1:35 remaining.
B次元官网网址淭he energy in the building was crazy,B次元官网网址� Oliveri said. B次元官网网址淭he crowd brought us back, and we were feeding off their energy.B次元官网网址�
Maffia hit a 3-pointer a step inside the half-court line to bring the Vikes within two points with eight seconds left. He then quickly stole the ball and was fouled and sent to the free throw line as UVic was in the bonus. Maffia sank both free throws to tie the game up 81-81 and send it to overtime.
B次元官网网址淚t was a roller-coaster game with ups and downs,B次元官网网址� Maffia said. B次元官网网址淲e find a way. ThatB次元官网网址檚 what we preach. It was a great win. Everyone was bought in.B次元官网网址�
Oliveri picked the right game to hit the biggest shot of his life, as he had nine family members travel from Washington state to watch him play.
B次元官网网址淒oing this in front of my family couldnB次元官网网址檛 have been better,B次元官网网址� he said.
Oliveri finished with five points, four assists and 11 rebounds, and Maffia added seven rebounds and four assists.
The Vikes ended the Canada West regular season with a 17-3 record and are ranked second behind the 18-2 Manitoba Bisons.
B次元官网网址淲e hope Diego can continue this in the playoffs,B次元官网网址� Oliveri said. B次元官网网址淗eB次元官网网址檚 the best player on the floor. Every time he getB次元官网网址檚 the ball I know he can do something special. We ride his energy. HeB次元官网网址檚 a phenomenal player.B次元官网网址�
UVic will host the winner of the Regina Cougars and the UNBC Timberwolves in the quarterfinal at 7 p.m. Saturday (Feb. 18.).
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 great that we get to host and keep this momentum going and go all the way,B次元官网网址� Maffia said. B次元官网网址淭hatB次元官网网址檚 our goal.B次元官网网址�
The Cougars and the UNBC Timberwolves game is also at the CARSA Performance Gym and is scheduled at 5 p.m. Friday (Feb. 17).
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