It was the biggest game of the season so far, and the VIU Mariners prepared and played like it.
Vancouver Island University’s men’s basketball team defeated the Langara Falcons 82-67 on Saturday at the VIU gym in a matchup of nationally ranked teams.
“When you play against the best teams, the mental aspect of the game, it’s huge,” said Matt Kuzminski, coach of the M’s. “In our league we can get away with being sloppy on some nights against some of the teams, but these guys, you can’t.”
The Falcons had beaten the Mariners last month on the mainland, and M’s player Justin King said right after that loss, his team couldn’t wait for the rematch. There was good focus and desire, he said, and it showed on the court Saturday.
“We executed on defence and offence really well,” King said. “We paid attention to the specifics and when we do that, we’re a really tough team to beat.”
King had 20 points and 11 rebounds, Harrison Stupich also scored 20, and Kadeem Steward added 14.
“We stayed within our offence,” King said. “We make sure we get to the second, the third side and when we do that we get easy shots.”
Langara’s star post player Jit Lohcham was held to 10 points as VIU defenders were lightning quick to double team any Falcons player who got near the paint.
The result gives the Mariners a good chance to claim first place in the PacWest as there are five games remaining.
“It just gives us more confidence,” King said. “We try not to look too much at the standings, we just try to take it day by day and get better.”
The day before, the Mariners thumped the Douglas Royals 91-61. King had 28 points, Jerod Dorby scored 19 and Chris Parker contributed 14.
VIU’s women’s basketball team also swept its home games on the weekend. In Friday’s game against Douglas, Jamie MacFarlane scored 24 points and Sienna Pollard had 15 points and 12 rebounds. The next day, the VIU ladies handled Langara 69-55. Jenna Carver scored 28 points and pulled down 19 rebounds and Pollard also had a double-double with 15 and 11.
Stupich and MacFarlane share PacWest Athlete of the Week honours.
GAME ON … The Mariners basketball teams are home again Saturday (Feb. 14) to play the Camosun Chargers. The women’s game tips off at 6 p.m. with the men’s game to follow at 8 p.m.
sports@nanaimobulletin.com