This Friday, the 15-8 Dons basketball team will travel to play the 14-11 La Jolla Vikings for their final game of the regular season. This is the second meeting between the two teams, as the Dons were victorious the first time around with the game ending 62-49 in their favor. This game could result in a different outcome, however, as the Vikings have won two straight games. La Jolla’s last game concluded with a 51-50 win versus the Mission Bay Buccaneers, a team the Dons went 0-2 against this season.

“La Jolla has definitely improved since the last time we played them. We’re in a little bit of a funk right now and are suffering some injuries, so it’s not that easy to fall apart. We have to stay focused and execute like we always do,” said junior forward Michael Marshall.

After a two-game absence due to a high ankle sprain, starting junior forward Austin Beech will be returning this week. “It was tough watching from the sidelines when I knew I could help my team compete. My ankle is feeling pretty good now, so I’m going to give it a go this week versus La Jolla, ” Beech said, who averages 11.2 points and 7.6 rebounds per game on the year. Last game he was important versus the La Jolla Vikings as he scored 12 points and grabbed 8 rebounds to contribute to the Dons victory.

Last Thursday the Dons managed to secure a 46-39 win versus the Lincoln Hornets, at Lincoln’s home court.

“We were down pretty much the whole game and had to fight back. It was difficult playing without Austin, who is a big part of the team, but we found a way to get the win,” said junior point guard Cameron Moore. Moore led the team in scoring with 15 points, and junior forward Reid Johnson also contributed with 11 points and 9 rebounds in the Dons win.

The Dons are currently 8-3 in league and sit tied in Western League at second place with Mission Bay. The Dons are behind on the tie breaker however, and in order to stand alone in second place, need a little help from the Lincoln Hornets who play at Mission Bay this Friday at 7:30.

The Dons face the La Jolla Vikings tomorrow at their home court at 7:30 p.m. Be sure to follow @ElCidSports on Twitter for updates on the game and team throughout the rest of their season.