Basketball Mariners win all their games
The VIU Mariners didn’t just defeat the league leaders, they thrashed them.
Vancouver Island University’s women’s basketball team blew out the Capilano Blues 73-43 on Saturday at the VIU gym.
Bill McWhinnie, coach of the Mariners women, said his players gave a complete 40-minute effort in both their weekend wins – VIU also beat the Quest Kermodes 68-39 on Friday – which allowed the M’s to compete with two good teams.
“It’s important. We needed two victories to enhance our playoff position and it gives us momentum going forward for the rest of the season,” McWhinnie said. “And I think it showed the girls we can play with anybody if we play well.”
Saturday’s result lifted VIU (8-5) to third place in the Pacific Western Athletic Association standings, six points back of Cap (11-2).
Shayna Worthington led the M’s against the Blues with 18 points, 10 rebounds and eight steals. Jocelyn Jones scored 13 points to go with nine rebounds and seven assists and Erin Vekic had 13, as well.
“We took away a couple of [Cap’s] strengths and went on a huge run between the third and fourth quarters that kind of put them away,” McWhinnie said.
The previous night against the Kermodes, Jones’s 17 points led the way.
The Mariners men (10-3) also won both their weekend games, topping the Kermodes 77-64 on Friday and beating the Blues 93-59 the next day.
The first game Brandon Jones was top scorer with 22 points and nine rebounds, Clayton Billett scored 17 points and Tyler Olsen supplied 16. Jason McKee finished with 14 points and nine boards. The next day Ryan Davidson scored 19 points to lead the M's. Jones had 18 points, nine rebounds, eight assists and six steals and Billett had 18 points and six assists.
GAME ON … VIU’s b-ball teams are on the road for the next three weeks, starting Friday (Jan. 25) with games at Columbia Bible College.
sports@nanaimobulletin.com
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