Vancouver Island University’s women’s basketball players put themselves where they want to be at provincials.
The team (14-3) scored two wins over the Kwantlen Eagles on Friday and Saturday at the VIU gym to earn a bye at next month’s B.C. Colleges’ Athletic Association championships.
Bill McWhinnie, the team’s coach, said Friday’s 78-44 win and Saturday’s 57-32 victory allowed the M’s to reach the first two goals they set for themselves – go unbeaten at home and secure the bye.
Defensive play was key on the weekend, he said.
“We struggled to score Saturday, missing several shots we would normally make and because of our defence, we still led at halftime,” said the coach.
Brittany Knievel scored 13 points and Kayla Gromme added 12. The day before, Knievel and Sarah Fraser were VIU’s top scorers with 18 each.
VIU’s men (16-1) also swept Kwantlen, winning 95-80 on Friday and 91-73 on Saturday. In the final home game of the season, Mike Wohlers led the way with 24 points and Jacob Thom and Andrew Kaban scored 23 each.
The M’s hoops teams visit Camosun on Friday (Feb. 18).