For the first time since 2006, the University of Victoria Vikes will be playing in the Canadian Interuniversity Sport national championship tournament.
The Vikes booked their ticket to next weekend鈥檚 Final 8 tournament with a 72-59 win over the Winnipeg Wesmen on Friday night in the sa国际传媒 West semifinals at UBC. UVic will meet the host Thunderbirds in tonight鈥檚 sa国际传媒 West final, but both teams are headed to Ottawa March 6-10 for a shot at the national title.
On Friday, it was the Vikes veterans leading the way, especially third-year centre Chris McLaughlin. The 6-foot-7 Oakville, Ont., native racked up another double-double, pouring in 23 points and grabbing 15 rebounds. Fourth-year forward Terrell Evans added 19 points.
The Vikes top-ranked defence smothered the Wesmen all night. Winnipeg鈥檚 star point guard Andrew Cunningham had just nine points.
In the other semifinal, UBC trailed by 10 early in the second half but stormed back for a 68-61 victory over Fraser Valley. The T-Birds, No. 2 in CIS, were led by Tommy Nixon鈥檚 18 points. UBC freshman and Mount Douglas grad Conor Morgan finished with six points.
