BB: VIC, WPG guards power teams to weekend sweeps
Maffia, Boulanger named CW Players of the Week
CALGARY – Victoria's Diego Maffia and Winnipeg's Robyn Boulanger were named the Canada West Basketball Players of the Week by the conference on Tuesday.
Maffia went off for more than 50 points in this weekend's action, putting an exclamation point on the Vikes' offensive outburst well-applauded by the home crowd.
Maffia was on the hunt from the tip Friday, matching UNBC's opening score with a lay-up of his own. He took away any chance the Timberwolves had of building early momentum with a quick steal, making way for the Vikes to grab the lead, which they would not surrender the rest of the match.
He went on to post 22 points, showing off with both his speed and precision. The guard sunk four from beyond the arc while finding his teammates all over the floor. Maffia ended the night with eight assists in the victory.
In fewer minutes Saturday, Maffia went off for six threes in a 34-point performance. Along with it, he posted three rebounds, five assists and a steal, leading an offensive spectacle for the Vikes.
The two wins keep Victoria firmly near the top of the CW standings. Their 12-2 record is good for second place.
The third-year guard now leads the conference in points per game on the season with 24.2.
Maffia and the Vikes will look to extend their now eight-game win streak when they travel to take on Thompson Rivers on Jan. 27 and 28 after a bye week. Those games are scheduled for 7:30 p.m. PST both nights. You can catch the action exclusively on Canada West TV.
Game log:
Jan. 13: 22 pts, 3 rebs, 8 asts, 1 stl in 98-76 W vs UNBC
Jan. 14: 34 pts, 3 rebs, 5 asts, 1 stl in 129-89 W vs UNBC
Meanwhile, Robyn Boulanger played a key role in handing the Regina Cougars just their second loss of the season. Boulanger continued to impress over the weekend, making her presence known all over the floor.
The conference three-point leader tucked away three more as the Wesmen battled to defeat the Cougars Friday evening at home. Her defensive efforts and two steals helped the team prove they're ready to contend for the CW crown.
Boulanger went off for 26 points the following night, 18 of them coming from beyond the arc. With her team trailing by nine in the fourth, she put her defensive skills to work, nabbing a steal then a key rebound. She found her teammate for a three-pointer to cut the lead to five, then drained a couple threes of her own to put the Wesmen in range.
With her team stuck two, she grabbed another rebound but the Wesmen couldn't capitalize, falling by three to the Cougars.
The fifth-year guard now ranks fourth in the conference in steals and assist to turnover ratio.
Boulanger and the Wesmen will be back in action Friday and Saturday, when they travel to take on the UNBC Timberwolves at 5 p.m. PST both days. You can catch the games exclusively on Canada West TV.
Game log:
Jan. 13: 13 pts, 1 reb, 2 stls in 76-52 W vs REG
Jan. 14: 26 pts, 2 rebs, 2 asts, 2 stls in 79-76 L vs REG