The Mariners' momentum was unstoppable at provincial championships.
Vancouver Island University's undefeated men's basketball team won the PacWest title on Saturday night at Capilano University in North Vancouver, defeating the Camosun Chargers 97-63 in the final.
It was the second-straight PacWest gold medal for the Mariners men.
"It's a great feeling. It's not something that gets old and every year it's a different feeling because you go through different struggles and different points of adversity," said Matt Kuzminski, the team's coach.
Saturday's provincial final was relatively close through two quarters, with VIU up by seven points at half, but the Mariners outscored the Chargers 25-4 in the third quarter to sew up the victory.
"We have, we call it, spurtability," Kuzminski said. "We have the ability to go on runs and that's what happened in the third quarter and I was just waiting for that to happen."
John Thompson was a force for VIU as the point guard hit eight three-pointers in the game and finished with 38 points. Josh Ross scored 12, Jerod Dorby added 11 and Jason Fortin grabbed 12 rebounds.
The semifinal on Friday saw VIU get past the Capilano Blues 87-69. Fortin scored 23 in that one, Ross had 16 points and 19 boards and Thompson scored 16.
Thompson was chosen tournament MVP and Ross and Fortin were selected as all-stars.
The coach said the Mariners were able to become champions because they are "a team in every sense of the word.
"When we came into the year I knew we had the talent, but it all comes down to how well the guys will buy into what we're trying to do as a team and then how well they guys will come together as a team," he said.
The VIU men are now 23-0 against Canadian college competition in 2015-16 and will be the favourites at nationals.
"Our main goal was to get to the national tournament, so we have achieved that…" said Kuzminski. "Tuesday, when we're back at practice, we've got a new goal and that's to win a national tournament now."
GAME ON … The Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association championships start March 17 at Keyano College in Fort McMurray, Alta.
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