PACWEST Silver for VIU Men’s Basketball
Mariners survive a legendary semifinal performance from Langara but drop a 98-95 decision to Capilano for the first loss of the year; advance to CCAA national championships as a conference wildcard
[PACWEST Provincial Championship recaps by the PACWEST - photos by Athena Pimental]
PACWEST Championship - March 4, 2023
Capilano Blues 98 - VIU Mariners 95
VICTORIA, BC - The Capilano Blues are PACWEST champions for the first time since 2003 after an incredible upset win over the VIU Mariners 98-95.
The game went back and forth and was in doubt until the last possession. Tyrone Asenoguan found a new gear in the fourth quarter scoring 14 of his 31 points in the final frame including a massive three-pointer in the late stages and was named the Player of the Game. Then with time winding down Zach Klim connected on one of two free-throws to give the Blues a three-point lead.
With 1.8 seconds left the Mariners called time and advanced the ball for one last shot attempt. They got the ball into the hands of veteran Landon Radliff who did get a shot off but it hit the rim and bounced out at the final buzzer giving the Blues the victory.
Offensively the Blues got production from eight players. Asenoguan had the game high of 31 points but CJ Campbell was excellent with 21 points, Josh Dhillon added 15 and David Featherston collected 12 tough points underneath.
The Mariners collected their 14th PACWEST silver medal after an extremely hard fought game. Tori Odom scored 24 points and was named the Player of the Game, Radliff finished with 19 as did Richard Henderson. They shot 51% from the field and 41% from the three-point arch.
The PACWEST will be well represented at the CCAA national championship tournament as both teams will pack their bags and head to Calgary in two weeks to take on the rest of the nation.
Following the game the tournament All-Stars and MVP were announced:
Royce Sargeant – Langara Falcons
Noah Helmen – Camosun Chargers
Akoi Yuot – VIU Mariners
Tori Odom – VIU Mariners
Tyrone Asenoguan – Capilano Blues
MVP – CJ Campbell – Capilano Blues
PACWEST Semifinal - March 3, 2023
VIU Mariners 99 - Langara Falcons 83
The VIU Mariners punched their ticket to the gold medal game and the nationals despite an absolutely incredible game from Langara Falcons' point guard Royce Sargeant.
Offensively the Mariners shot 52% led by Akoi Yuot and his 29 points and 13 rebounds on route to being named the Player of the Game. Tori Odom had a solid game with 19 points and Richard Henderson collected 18 including a couple of thundering dunks.
Despite all the offensive firepower and the win for the Mariners the night belonged to Sargeant who put together one of the best performances in PACWEST playoff history. He single handily kept the Falcons close with a mind blowing 53 points along with four rebounds, three assists and four steals. He was named the Player of the Game as the only Falcon in double-digits. As a team they shot 43% which was mostly Sargeant.
The Mariners will not only play the Capilano Blues for PACWEST gold on Saturday but they will also head back to the CCAA national championship tournament regardless of outcome. The gold medal game is set for 8:00pm on Saturday while the Falcons will face the Camosun Chargers in the bronze medal game at 3:00pm.