Third Up
Mariners drop a tough semifinal to Douglas College but rebound for bronze over Capilano
[Game recaps courtesy Ryan Watters / PACWEST]
PACWEST Bronze: VIU 64 - Capilano 58
Saturday, March 2 - Kelowna Christian High School
The VIU Mariners are PACWEST bronze medalists for the first time since 2017 with a 64-58 win over the Capilano Blues.
Their defence was incredible keeping the Blues to without a field goal in the fourth quarter until the final second. On the offensive side they outscored the Blues 24-14 in the second quarter and never looked back shooting 30% in the victory. Kaia Simpson was named Player of the Game with 19 points and 14 rebounds and Makayla Kimble added 12 in the win.
VIU guard Allison Bentley (L) and Capilano guard Lauren Tomlinson battle for the ball during the PACWEST bronze medal match. Photo: Matt Carter
The Blues on the other hand finish their season empty handed after shooting 29%. They would score 11 points in the fourth quarter, eight of which coming from the free throw line. Kirsten Abo launched a three-pointer from center at the buzzer and knocked it down on the final shot of her PACWEST career for the Blues only field goal of the quarter and finished with 12 points. Barcha Hnizdilova was named the Blues Player of the Game with 10 points and seven rebounds.
Congratulations to both teams on an excellent season.
VIU guard Chloe Scaber played her last varsity game in VIU's bronze medal win over Capilano. Photo: Matt Carter
Note: following the gold medal game, VIU's Makayla Kimble was named a PACWEST Tournament All-Star.
PACWEST Semifinal: Douglas 62 - VIU 55
Friday, March 1 - Kelowna Christian High School
Kiayra Hohlweg (#13) carries the ball up-court against the Douglas Royals in a PACWEST semifinal. Photo: Matt Carter
The theme of upsets continues on the women's bracket as the fourth seeded Douglas Royals knock off the top seed VIU Mariners to advance to the gold medal game with a 62-55 victory.
It was a very physical game with lots of body contact under the hoop and no shot was easy.
The Royals shot 37% from the floor and hit six-three pointers to claim the win. Jettie McLaughlin was the Player of the Game on her birthday finishing with 11 points and nine rebounds. Rookie Mackenzie Dalphond was also solid with 11 points and 13 rebounds making a major impact in the win.
Defensively the Royals were tremendous not allowing an uncontested shot. They held the Mariners to 7% shooting from the three-point line and 35% shooting overall.
The Mariners got into foul trouble early and had three players ultimately foul out. Kaia Simpson was strong offensively with 13 points and Makayla Kimble finished with 11. Mackenzie Cox was a rock running the offence and was named the Mariners Player of the Game.