VICTORIA — The Winnipeg Wesmen got off to the start they wanted. It was what came after that was less than ideal.

The Wesmen men's basketball team opened a 14-point first-quarter lead, but the Victoria Vikes stormed back and eventually secured a 94-79 Canada West conference victory Saturday night.

The loss dropped Winnipeg to 2-2 on the season ahead of a road trip to MacEwan Friday and Saturday.

Donald Stewart had his first career double-double with 19 points and 10 rebounds to lead Winnipeg, which also got 11 points each from Malachi Alexander, Shawn Maranan and Emmanuel Thomas.

The Wesmen closed the first quarter on a 20-6 run that gave them a 27-13 advantage. They stretched that lead to as many as 17 in the second quarter before the Vikes went on a 17-2 run midway through the second quarter and eventually pulled even at 46 heading into halftime. 

The defending conference champions, who were pre-season No. 1 in the conference coaches' poll, opened the third quarter on a 10-0 run over the first 2:08 to take the lead for good. 

Diego Maffia had 28 points to lead the Vikes, who got 14 apiece from Trent Monkman and Dominick Oliveri. Renoldo Robinson chipped in with 12, and Oliveri added 11 rebounds.