Cold Start to 2024
Mariners drop their first two games of the season versus Douglas College
NANAIMO - VIU women's basketball is still on top of the conference but needs to refocus after being swept by the Douglas Royals in a weekend set at home.
The Mariners had not scored fewer than 60 points all season but buckets were tough to come by in both games. VIU shot just under 28% over the weekend.
JANUARY 12: Douglas 73 - VIU 56
Three-point shooting was a key factor in the Douglas Royals win over VIU--and VIU's first loss since February 2023.
The Royals shot 50% (10-20) from beyond the arc while the Mariners only connected on 3 of 21 long-range shots--a 21-point advantage for the visitors from New Westminster. Douglas never trailed at any point in the game, and while the Royals lost the turnover battle (21-13), the Mariners couldn't turn enough of the possession changes into points.
Makayla Kimble led VIU with 17 points (7 for 19 from the field) while Kimble, Mackenzie Hall, and Kaia Simpson each pulled down 6 rebounds.
Anja Tjernagel led the Royals with 19 points while Karishma Rai--who was lated named PACWEST women's basketball athlete of week--went 4 for 8 in three-point attempts.
JANUARY 13: Douglas 61 - VIU 54
VIU's Allison Bentley puts up a shot over Douglas Royals defender Elena Skalik. Photo: Matt Carter
More cold shooting on Saturday afternoon, 26% from the field, led to a second loss for the Mariners.
The Royals raced out to a quick lead in the first quarter, but the Mariners came out flying after a timeout. With a revamped lineup, the Mariners made up the deficit and then some, leading 20-13 after the first quarter. Allison Bentley and Mackenzie Cox both earned 6 poins off the bench in the opening frame. A Caitlin Kippan buzzer-beater before the half sent the teams to the dressing room with the Mariners up 36-31.
However, everything fell apart in the the third quarter for the home team, as the Mariners only scored two points in the frame until a late three-pointer from Mackenzie Hall gave VIU a dash of momentum heading into the fourth. Unfortunately, VIU failed to make up any ground on Douglas and shot 5-19 in the quarter.
Kimble was the only Mariner to earn double-digits in points with 12. For the Royals, Rai had another strong game and led her team with 10 points.
UP NEXT
The 12-2 Mariners dropped from #1 to #3 in the CCAA national rankings this week and have a tough matchup on the road against the #9-ranked Capilano Blues (11-3). The Blues are on a seven-game winning streak and feature the conference's top scorer in guard Kirsten Abo. With at least one victory during the weekend, the Mariners will maintain their hold on top of the PACWEST standings with four more weekends to go in the regular season.
Games go on Friday, January 19 at 6 p.m. and Saturday, January 20 at 1 p.m. Fans can watch online via PACWEST.TV or the Capilano Blues YouTube page.