LANGLEY, British Columbia – On opening night the Trinity Western Spartans lost at tight battle 69-65 to the visiting Victoria Vikes Thursday night at the Langley Events Centre in Langley, B.C.
 
The Spartans fell behind 8-0 to start but battled back and trail 40-36 at half and lead 60-57 going into the final five minutes of the game. The Vikes were able to make key baskets and free throws down the stretch to earn the five-point win.
 
Fourth-year point-guard Shemaiah Abatayo (Vancouver, B.C.) with 17, and four steals points, third-year guard Cassidy Buchanan (Aldergrove, B.C.) with 15 points, six rebounds, and three steals, and rookie guard Colette Ven der Hoven with 14 points, five steals, and four rebounds led the Spartans. While Makena Anderson with 18 points, five steals, and four rebounds, and Abigail Becker with 18 points, and eight rebounds led the Vikes.
 
UP NEXT
The Spartans will have a day off before traveling to face the UBC Thunderbirds on Saturday night. Game time at War Memorial Gym is set for 4 p.m. (PT) and can be seen live on Canada West TV.
 
QUOTABLE
TWU head coach Cheryl Jean-Paul
"We knew that some of our challenges this season were going to be due to lack of experience and lack of maturity. In areas where you need to push back early in the game and in some of the decisions that need to be made at the end of the game. It's about finishing the game and starting the game.
 
"But I am really proud of the battle that we had, to be able to come back multiple times to take a five-point lead towards the end of the game, to go on an 11-0 run in a third quarter. Those things don't happen to a team that's not learning how to win the game." ?
 
"Every time we play a different team, we learn something new about ourselves and the ability to push back defensively early is so critical, even if you're not sure exactly what it's going to look like."
 
"I think that for Shem and Cassidy in particular, this is such a good learning opportunity for them. ?It stings, obviously. The win was within your reach but knowing that the two of them still have so much room to grow because they have capacity to grow is a good thing. They're willing to learn, they work really hard, they love the game, they love this team, and they want to win for their teammates. So I'm really excited to see what comes of this. ?It's a little bit of a bitter taste right now, but the goal is to get there by the end of the season."
 
NOTABLE 

• Trinity Western finished the night shooting 45.2 percent (28-62) from the field, 23.8 percent (5-21) from three-point line, and 44.4 percent (4-9) from the foul line, while Victoria shot 46.6 percent (27-58), 15.4 percent (2-13), and 72.2 percent (13-18) respectively.
• Victoria had the edge in rebounding 38-30.
• The Spartans had the better of the Vikes in Steals 17-14, and turnovers 26-27.
• TWU also had the advantage in fast break points 15-2, while Victoria had the better in second chance points, 8-5.
• The Spartans are ranked 10 in the Canada West preseason coaches' poll, while the Victoria Vikes are ranked No. 7.
• The Spartans finished their preseason at 3-2. Victoria finished at 1-5.
• The Spartans are now 19-48 lifetime against the Vikes. TWU was 0-2 last season in conference play against Victoria losing 78-74, and 64-53 at home.
• TWU's last win against Victoria was 83-66 in the Canada West playoffs February 17, 2023. The Spartans last home win against the Vikes was 68-62 on November 13, 2021. 

About Spartan Athletics
As official members of U SPORTS, the Spartans currently compete in 13 sports in the Canada West conference, including women's and men's soccer, volleyball, basketball, hockey, cross country, and track & field, as well as women's rugby sevens. TWU also competes as an independent team in men's rugby. Since TWU entered U SPORTS in 1999, the Spartans have won 14 U SPORTS team championships and 34 Canada West team championships.
 
About Trinity Western University
Recognized for quality, TWU has received seven consecutive A+ rankings for Quality of Teaching and Learning, holds three Canada Research Chairs, and wins national championships in U SPORTS. More importantly, lives are changed at TWU through its whole-person, Christ-centred approach to education. With a wide array of undergraduate, graduate, and adult degree-completion programs, TWU equips leaders of character and competence to make a positive impact in the lives of others.
 
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