Vikes bring out the brooms in Kamloops

Another weekend and another 4-for-4 performance by the Vikes men's and women's basketball team.

On Saturday, the women had a much tougher time with the Thompson Rivers Wolfpack than they did on Friday, but still escaped with a hard fought 63-54 road victory. The Vikes, who actually trailed with two and a half minutes remaining, played some clutch basketball down the stretch scoring the final ten points of the contest. A big character win for this team as numerous girls were battling flu like symptoms and could have easily mailed this road game in. This team is learning how to win every style of basketball game and Saturday's gutsy performance demonstrated that they can win even when they aren't at full strength. Coach Cheng's girls have now won 11 of their last past 12 games, and other than their loss to the CIS No. 1 ranked SFU Clan back on Jan. 9th have not lost since Nov. 14th in Regina. The Vikes can now clinch a home playoff series at Shields Court with a win this weekend and a Trinity Western Spartan loss.

The Men got the job done in Kamloops for the second consecutive night as well, jumping out to an early lead to dispose of a WolfPack team that can't seem to have this long season end quicker. The 91-61 victory by the Vikes was their second straight win in which they blew out their opponents by 30 or more points.

However, it wasn't all good news for the Vikes as they returned to their hotel room on Saturday night only to hear that the Trinity Western Spartans had gone into CIS No. 4 ranked Calgary Dino territory and pulled out a massive road victory. Just how big was the Spartans victory? Well with only four games remaining on the schedule, the Spartans now control their own destiny in their quest for a home playoff series. The Vikes now must likely win out and hope that the Spartans drop one of their four remaining contests if they plan on making Shields court the home for a opening round playoff series. The Spartans who have an identical record with the Vikes but own that all important tie-breaker finish the season by playing two at home against SFU before hitting the road to take on Manitoba and Winnipeg.
The Vikes final four games of the season are all at home, with Calgary Lethbridge, Fraser Valley and Thompson Rivers making their way to the Island.

It will be tough as the Spartans are playing some unbelievable basketball right now, but crazier things have happened . Don't put away your playoffs towels just yet and check back with the horn from all the latest from around the Canada West!