VICTORIA – The Victoria Vikes handed the No. 8 ranked Manitoba Bisons their first loss in regulation of the 2019-20 regular season at the CARSA Performance Gym on Friday, winning 82-74.
It is the third win for the Vikes this season against a team ranked in the U SPORTS Top 10.
In a game of runs, Jason Scully drilled a pair of triples in the first, as the Vikes opened on a 10-0 run.
The Bisons answered with their fourth-year forward and closed the frame on a 12-0 run of their own. James Wagner showed off his versatility in the first quarter. On one possession, he posted up, on another he sliced to the rim and on another he splashed a elbow jumper, as he paced the Bisons with eight points in the first frame.
The Vikes (13-4) took the lead with their second 10-0 run in the first half, capped by a three pointer from the American Scott Kellum.
The Bisons (14-3) couldn't buy a bucket through the first eight minutes of the second quarter. While the Vikes were clawing back into it, the Bisons two leading scorers – Wagner and Rashawn Browne – missed bunnies underneath the rim.
The sharpshooting Matthew Ellis carried the load offensively, as he had his fine touch working once again down low. He led the Vikes with 12 points in the first half on eight shots.
The Vikes had the edge 27-26 at half. Both teams erupted for more than 45 points each in the second half.
Cameron O'Hara set big screens and rolled to the hoop for the Bisons, as he helped stretch the herd's lead from one at half to eight midway through the third.
Rashawn Browne was held in check with four points on seven shots in the first half pushed the Bisons out to a 44-36 lead early in the third by earning a pair of difficult and-1 opportunities.
Diego Maffia entered the third stanza scoreless but turned it up with eight points in the frame.
Back-to-back possessions resulting in offensive fouls from the Bisons, combined with a pair of threes from Maffia and one from Kellum put the Vikes up 53-52 after three frames.
Browne's trips to the free throw line in the third got his hot hand going as he couldn't miss to start the pivotal fourth period. He hit on four of his first five shots in the fourth and gouged the Vikes for a game high 24 points. He also racked up 10 assists, many coming off dump ins to O'Hara.
Thanks to the sweet feeds from Browne and his ability to clean up the garbage, the third-year big O'Hara racked up a double-double with 14 points and 11 rebounds.
Wagner kept pace with his point guard Browne, connecting on 11 makes from inside the arc for 22 points, as he finished one rebound shy of a double-double.
Fifth-year Vikes' big Hayden Lejeune struggled from the floor early, but ended up with 13 points. His work ethic never waivered despite the shooting struggles, as he grabbed nine rebounds – seven offensive boards – at crucial times. Ellis was also all over the glass. The Calgarian ended with 16 points and nine rebounds – all defensive.
Kellum sealed the deal with a three at the end of the shot clock with the 6-foot-7 O'Hara draped all over him. His shot that appeared to bank off the ceiling put the Vikes up 73-68 with less than two minutes remaining.
The Vikes will host the Bisons back at the CARSA Performance Centre tomorrow evening (7 p.m. PST) for the Vikes final regular season home game of the season.
