The Trinity Western Spartans and Victoria Vikes traded narrow victories over the weekend, each clinching a post-season berth in the process.
The Spartans won 64-60 on Friday before the Vikes took the rematch 87-82, with both games held at Victoria’s CARSA Performance Gym. With four games remaining, TWU sits at 10-6 and is assured of a Canada West playoff spot.
The Vikes are 11-5.
TWU was up four early in the fourth quarter but the Vikes outscored the Spartans by nine the rest of the way.
A big problem was the Spartans have two key players foul out.
“I was proud of the fight that we had at the end — even a few weeks ago we would have caved under the weight of having two key players foul out and we would have lost the game by a larger margin,” said Spartans coach Cheryl Jean-Paul.
“But to only lose by two possessions says a lot about everyone’s belief in what we are doing.”
Natalie Carkner led the Spartans with 18 points while Jessie Brown and Kayla Gordon each hit for 17. Ashleigh Barnes came off the bench to chip in 10.
Friday’s victory saw the Spartans lead from the opening whistle with Brown (20 points) and Carkner (17 points) leading the way offensively. Tessa Ratzlaff had a dozen points and nine rebounds.
The Spartans are back on the road this weekend with a pair of games in Calgary against the Mount Royal Cougars.