VICTORIA, British Columbia – The Trinity Western Spartans outscored the Victoria Vikes 24-10 in the final quarter to earn a dramatic 68-60 victory Friday night at the CARSA in Victoria, B.C. The win improves the Spartans to 6-4 and extends their winning streak to four games, while the loss drops the Vikes to 4-5 in Canada West Conference play.
 
The Vikes were the better of the two teams early with Victoria leading 35-26 at the half and holding a 16-point, 42-28, lead with seven minutes remaining in the third quarter. TWU's pressure defence turned the game in the final 17 minutes as the Spartans outscored the Vikes 40-18 to earn the eight-point win.
 
Third-year guard Cassidy Buchanan (Aldergrove, B.C.) with 26 points, four assists, and four rebounds, second-year forward Jazmin Avila (Abbotsford, B.C.) with 15 points, and eight rebounds, and third-year guard Shemaiah Abatayo (Vancouver, B.C.) with nine points, and 11 assists led the Spartans. While Tana Pankratz with 16 points, Abigail Becker with 13 points, and 13 rebounds, and Mimi Sigue with 12 points, and nine rebounds led the Vikes.
 
UP NEXT
The Spartans will look to get a sweep tomorrow night when they tip off at 5 p.m. at the CARSA against the Vikes. The game could determine the tie-breaker between the two teams and can be seen live on Canada West TV.
 
QUOTABLE
Trinity Western Head Coach Cheryl Jean-Paul
"This game was a great start to the second semester! We played tentatively in the first half, let them set the tone, and struggled to score, but our response in the second half was more representative of who we want to be as a team. This group has worked really hard over the break and has been united in their vision to bring out the best in each other. Cassidy found her stride and everyone had impactful moments, recognizing that every contribution mattered. The fourth quarter was a definitive statement to ourselves about who we can be this season, so excited to see what we do with this opportunity tomorrow."
 
NOTABLE 

• TWU finished the night shooting 37.3 (25-67) percent from the field, 29.4 (5-17) percent from the three-point line, and 65 (13-20) percent from the foul line. While Victoria was 33.3 (22-66) percent, 33.3 (6-18) percent, and 62.5 (10-16) respectively.
• The Vikes had a 47-41 edge in total rebounds and a 10-2 edge in blocked shots.
• TWU finished the night with 13 turnovers, while Victoria finished with 20, with the Spartans holding an 8-5 edge in seals, and a 15-7 edge in points off of turnovers.
• TWU is currently on a four-game winning streak, finishing the first semester with a 70-62 win over the UFV Cascades.
• Early this year TWU lost 69-65 to Victoria on October 31 at the LEC.
• The Vikes finished the first semester splitting with the Cascades winning 71-67, and losing 68-62 in Abbotsford, B.C.
• TWU is currently 20-48 lifetime against Victoria. Prior to tonight the Spartans' last win against the Vikes was 83-66 in the Canada West playoffs in Regina on February 17, 2023.
• TWU was on a four-game losing streak to the Victoria, before that the Spartans had won seven straight.

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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