VIU basketball teams plan to play a lot more games this winter, but tomorrow night (Feb. 16) marks their last action of the season on home court.
Vancouver Island University's men's and women's b-ball teams host the Camosun Chargers on Thursday in PacWest action at the VIU gym.
It's seniors night, meaning graduating fifth-year players will be honoured, including Sienna Pollard of VIU's women's team, who is in contention for a PacWest scoring title. Stephanie O'Sullivan is also in her fifth year of college eligibility.
The men's Mariners will honour fifth-years Eric D'Andrea, Kaz Kobayashi and Connor Billett and assistant coach Jim Ndiaye, who is stepping away from the program.
The VIU women (9-7) need to win one of their last two games to clinch third place in the PacWest, while the M's men (14-2) need to win one of their last two to sew up first place. Men's coach Matt Kuzminski said his team has continued to improve in recent weeks.
"We're still working on putting it together for a full 40 minutes, but we've had stretches where we've been very good, especially on the defensive end…" he said. "Just like a high-powered offence, your defence can break open the game."
GAME ON … The M's women play the Chargers on Thursday at 6 p.m., with the men's game to follow at 8 p.m. Both Mariners teams are then on the road the next night to wrap up the PacWest regular season with games against the Columbia Bible College Bearcats in Abbotsford.
sports@nanaimobulletin.com