BB: VIC guards lift Vikes in final stretch
VIC's Scott Kellum and Calli McMillan earn CW Player of the Week honours
CALGARY – Victoria's Scott Kellum and Calli McMillan were named the Canada West Basketball Players of the Week by the conference on Tuesday.
Kellum helped his near-perfect Vikes close out the regular season in style, leading the now 17-1 powerhouse in three convincing wins over conference opponents TRU, UBCO and UNBC.
On a team with balanced scoring, Kellum emerged the point person in three straight games as the Vikes asserted their dominance in the Western division.
He worked with efficiency throughout the week, posting an outstanding 64.3 three-point shooting percentage through the three match-ups. That display helped him finish third among Canada West athletes in shooting from beyond the arc with an average of 45.3 per cent on the year.
The fifth-year Issaquah, WA product put up 19 points and five rebounds Tuesday, 20 points and two rebounds Friday and 22 points and seven rebounds Saturday.
He also filled the role of playmaker, doling out 10 assists on the week.
The Vikes will now enjoy a two-round bye to the Canada West quarter-finals on Saturday, when they'll match up against either Manitoba, UBCO or Lethbridge at the University of Lethbridge at 7 p.m.
Game log:
Feb. 22: 19 pts, 5 rebs, 4 asts, 3-4 3PT in 84-59 W vs TRU
Feb. 25: 20 pts, 2 rebs, 4 asts, 1 blk, 3-6 3PT in 99-71 W at UBCO
Feb. 26: 22 pts, 7 rebs, 2 asts, 1 stl, 3-4 3PT in 89-69 W at UNBC
Meanwhile, Calli McMillan helped her Victoria Vikes distance themselves from close rivals in the Western division. The fifth-year guard pushed her team to pick up steam at the most crucial time of the year, when momentum means everything.
McMillan proved herself as a scoring threat from anywhere on the floor in a tight battle with UBCO Thursday night. She pushed the pace with layups, hit the long ball and stopped up for jumpers at key moments in the match. The Victoria, BC product notched nearly a third of her team's points, finishing with 19 while grabbing four rebounds and two assists in the 63-55 victory.
She went back to work Saturday, tucking away 16 points, four rebounds, two assists and two steals in another close game. This time, it was UNBC they routed by a final score of 75-68.
Both victories came on the road, as McMillan helped the Vikes make a statement ahead of the 17-team playoff tournament in Calgary this upcoming weekend.
The Vikes have earned a first-round bye and will square off against host Calgary in the second round on Saturday at 1 p.m.
Game log:
Feb. 24: 19 pts, 4 rebs, 2 asts in 63-55 W at UBCO
Feb. 26: 16 pts, 4 rebs, 2 asts, 2 stls in 75-68 W at UNBC