PACWEST Provincials: Mariners Shut Down the Royals
Mariners to play Okanagan Coyotes for PACWEST gold
ABBOTSFORD - VIU women's basketball will play for its third consecutive PACWEST gold following a 59-45 semifinal victory over the Douglas Royals.
VIU came out fully-charged in the first and third quarters, outscoring their New Westminster opponents 17-9 and 22-5 in those frames.
While shooting and rebounding numbers were very close between the two teams, a lot of damage came from VIU winning the turnover battle. The Royals committed 30 turnovers to only 13 by the Mariners, and VIU scored 28 points off of turnovers to only 5 by Douglas.
VIU was led by Shayce Johnston, who earned a double-double with 16 points (6 for 8 shooting, 4 for 4 at the free-throw line) and ten rebounds. Johnston was named VIU's player of the game. Ranika Guyton added 13 points.
The Mariners will battle the Okanagan College Coyotes in gold medal final--the first championship title game in Coyotes history. The #3-ranked Kelowna squad defeated Langara and Capilano to get to the gold medal game.
VIU went 3-0 versus Okanagan during the regular season, posting an 86-65 win at home in November and 97-69 & 80-75 wins on the road.
The Mariners have earned eight medals in the last ten provincial tournaments, including four gold, one silver, and three bronze. They'll go for gold at 5:30 PM at Columbia Place in Abbotsford, and the game will be streamed live at PACWEST.LIVE.