By Canadian Press

Vikes defeat Dinos for first U Sports men’s basketball title in 28 years

Mar 16, 2025 | 4:23 PM

VANCOUVER — Renoldo Robinson had 24 points and nine rebounds as the University of Victoria Vikes defeated the Calgary Dinos 82-53 on Sunday to win their U Sports men’s basketball title in 28 years.

The fourth-seeded Vikes also gained some revenge for a 77-68 loss to Calgary in last month’s Canada West semifinal.

Robinson, a six-foot-three guard from Montreal, also had one assist and was named Victoria’s player of the game. In the fourth quarter he made a highlight-reel play, snagging a ball, weaving through defenders, then scoring on a layup.

Geoffrey James scored 17 points, including three three-pointers. Ethan Boag added 12 points while Shadynn Smid had 11 points and a game-high 17 rebounds.

Victoria was playing without star player Diego Maffia, its all-time scoring leader, who suffered a knee injury in January.

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Victoria built a comfortable 40-23 lead at half time, hitting 17 of its 43 baskets.

Calgary’s Nate Petrone, named the U Sports men’s basketball player of the year earlier in the week after leading the country with 484 points in 20 games, was held off the scoresheet until a free throw in the second quarter.

Petrone finished the game with 10 points. Alan Spoonhunter led the Dinos with 20 points while Dylan Lutes had 15 rebounds.

Victoria advanced to the final with a 89-75 upset over the top-seeded Ottawa Gee-Gees on Friday.

Calgary, seeded second in the tournament, defeated the University of P.E.I. Panthers 87-54 in the other semifinal final.

Earlier on Sunday, Ottawa beat P.E.I. 86-70 to take the bronze medal.

The Vikes were playing in their first national championship game since 2006, when they lost to Carleton. Victoria last won the title in 1997 with a win over McMaster.

Calgary won the title in 2018 then lost to Carleton in the 2019 final.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 16, 2025.

Jim Morris, The Canadian Press

<!– Photo: 0166703bb82b9db65b7e340b69eb5c6369e7f3d683e0eefe0b7d1c3574e41d2a.jpg, Caption:

University of Calgary Dinos’ Martynas Sabaliauskas (12) is blocked by University of Victoria Vikes’ Shadynn Smid (10) during first half action at the U Sports men’s national basketball championship final in Vancouver, B.C., Sunday, March 16, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

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<!– Photo: 249437b401a726c7ee5a1ebdf59cecfc2d216d629537b9567144076c5ab8f048.jpg, Caption:

University of Victoria Vikes’ Aaron Tesfagiorgis, front right, hoists the trophy after defeating the University of Calgary Dinos during the U Sports men’s national basketball championship final, in Vancouver, on Sunday, March 16, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

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