Halifax, NS –The University of Victoria Vikes holds off the University of Prince Edward Island Panthers 93-92 Friday night at the Scotiabank Centre.

For what could have been an incredible upset, the Vikes squeaked by as they controlled the glass and scored 24 second chance points. It was no other than first team All-Canadian Diego Maffia who brought the Vikes to the semi final with 40 points.

“For my own self-confidence, I like to believe that I’m always the best player on the floor. I think that helps me with my shooting, my playmaking; me making the right play for my teammates,” said Maffia. “If I’m being completely honest, my teammates make me the best that I can be.

Izzy Helman added 15 points for the Vikes.

The AUS MVP Elijah Miller scored 24 points along with 10 rebounds and 9 assists in the loss. 12 of Miller’s points came in the fourth quarter. Kamari Scott stepped up big time with 32 points and 10 rebounds. It looked like the Panthers would pull through as they led 87-81 with 04:34 left of the game.

“The fight we showed tonight shows we are able to compete,” said Miller.

The Vikes will face the St. Francis Xavier University X-Men in the semi final tomorrow at 8 p.m.

“That’s a great team over there. They really flexed their muscles tonight,” said Vikes head coach Craig Beaucamp.

The Panthers fall into the consolation bracket but put up an impressive fight against the first seed after falling to the X-Men in the AUS final 104-54.

“We were quite embarrassed with that performance. We were really thankful that we had an opportunity to play again. We wanted the opportunity to show our fans and our community that we’re better than that last performance,” said UPEI head coach Darell Glenn.

The Panthers face the Queen’s University Gaels tomorrow at 2 p.m.