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Credit Rich Lam
Credit Rich Lam
March 16, 2025

Victoria captures ninth national title with dominant win Over Calgary

The Victoria Vikes are back on top of Canadian university basketball. Victoria claimed its ninth national championship, and first since 1997, with a commanding 82-53 victory over the Calgary Dinos in the 2025 INDOCHINO U SPORTS Men's Final 8 championship game on Sunday at Doug Mitchell Thunderbird Sports Centre.
 
With the win, the Vikes avenged their upset by the same Dinos two weeks ago in the Canada West semifinal in Victoria, a loss that dropped UVic down to the No. 4 seed overall, while Calgary came in at No. 2. The Vikes put on a clinic in front of a crowd of 3,604, showcasing a balanced offensive attack and suffocating defense to secure their place at the top of the podium for the first time this century.
 
Victoria came out firing in the first quarter, building an early lead with a combination of sharp shooting and relentless defense. The Vikes outscored Calgary 18-6 in the opening frame, with Sam Maillet and Shadynn Smid leading the charge. Maillet made his presence felt on both ends of the floor, recording a block and a steal that led to transition baskets, while Smid dominated the paint with his rebounding and finishing ability.
 
Calgary showed signs of life in the second quarter, scoring 17 points, but Victoria's offense remained steady, adding 22 points to take a 40-23 lead into halftime. Geoffrey James and Renoldo Robinson were instrumental in extending the lead, with James hitting a key three-pointer and Robinson attacking the rim with authority.
 
The third quarter saw Victoria continue to impose its will, outscoring Calgary 25-19. The Vikes' three-point shooting came alive, with James and Robinson connecting from beyond the arc. Calgary, meanwhile, struggled to find consistent offense, shooting just 27.3 per cent from the field and 20.7 per cent from three-point range for the game. Despite a few threes from the Dinos, Victoria's defense kept them at bay, forcing turnovers and limiting second-chance opportunities.
 
In the fourth quarter, Victoria's depth and composure shone through. The Vikes outscored Calgary 17-11 in the final frame, with James and Robinson continuing to lead the way. James hit another three-pointer, while Robinson finished strong at the rim, capping off a stellar performance. The Vikes' defense also stepped up, holding Calgary to just 11 points in the quarter to seal the victory.
 
Key Performances
  • Geoffrey James led the Vikes with 17 points, including a trio of three-pointers, while adding five rebounds and twosteals.
  • Renoldo Robinson was a force all game, finishing with 24 points and showcasing his ability to score in transition and from mid-range.
  • Shadynn Smid anchored Victoria's defense with 11 points, 17 rebounds, and three blocks, dominating the paint on both ends of the floor.
  • Sam Maillet provided a well-rounded performance, contributing nine points, six rebounds, three assists, and three blocks. He won the Jack Donohue Trophy as the tournament MVP.
Tournament All-Stars
  • Nate Petrone, Calgary
  • Geoffrey James, Victoria
  • Renoldo Robinson, Victoria
  • Brock Newton, Ottawa
 
Victoria ends the season with a 30-1 overall record, while Calgary – the hosts of the 2026 Men's Final 8 – finish at 28-7.
Recap Box Score