Victoria thumps Calgary for 1st U Sports men's basketball title in 28 years

Renoldo Robinson wasn't even born the last time the University of Victoria Vikes lifted the Canadian men's university basketball championship trophy.

On Sunday, Robinson helped cut down the net down after the Vikes defeated the Calgary Dinos 82-53 to win their first title in 28 years in the men's basketball Final 8 championship game at UBC's War Memorial Gymnasium.

"Man, it feels amazing," said Robinson, a six-foot-three guard from Montreal, who led both teams with 24 points and grabbed nine rebounds. "I'm so happy and grateful."

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

Victoria built a comfortable 40-23 lead at halftime, hitting 17 of their 43 baskets.

WATCH | Victoria Vikes rout Calgary Dinos in men's basketball title game:

U Sports Men’s Basketball Gold Game: Victoria vs Calgary

Head coach Murphy Burnatowski said watching his team lift the trophy and celebrate with friends and family in the stands was like being in a dream.

"I don't think I've really had time to process it," said the first-year coach. "It's amazing. I feel like it was really a fairy tale year for us. The way I've seen the boys come together as a team and a family, it's truly unbelievable."

The win was also some revenge for the No. 4-seeded Vikes who lost 77-68 to Calgary in last month's Canada West semifinal after Victoria went 20-0 during the regular season.

"They're the team that ruined our perfect season," said Burnatowski. "That's in the back of everyone's minds. We were laser focused this entire week."

The Vikes won seven consecutive titles between 1980 and 1986 but had not advanced to the championship game since 2006, losing to Carleton. Victoria last