Vancouver Island University’s basketball teams gave Island Rivalry the perfect ending.
After the VIU Mariners volleyball teams won their matches Friday against Victoria’s Camosun Chargers at the VIU gym, the basketball teams did the same the next night to complete the sweep.
The Mariner women came back to win 58-54, while the M’s men handled Camo 84-61.
Victory was in doubt for the lady M’s early, as they were outscored 26-12 in the first quarter on Saturday.
“We definitely didn’t have our strongest first quarter – first half, really – but it was our defence that took us back,” said Kayla Gromme, M’s guard.
The M’s saved their best for last, outscoring the Chargers 18-8 in the fourth quarter to complete the comeback.
Gromme said the big Island Rivalry crowd at the gym helped her team.
“We all love it, we all love the crowd,” she said. “[We] don’t get psyched out. You’ve got to get into the game rather than into the crowd.”
Gromme finished with a game-high 21 points plus five rebounds and five assists while Sarah Fraser had 10 points and 10 rebounds.
In the men’s game, the visitors kept it close in the first half but the Mariners dominated the second half, especially the fourth quarter.
Jacob Thom had 25 points, eight rebounds, seven steals and six assists, Tyler Olsen had 10 points and 12 rebounds, Mike Wohlers scored 14 points and Patrick McCarthy added 13.
Coach Tony Bryce said in a press release that he liked some of the individual performances, but didn’t think that his guys as a unit played their hardest.
“For whatever reason, we lacked urgency tonight and took a lot of possessions off especially on the defensive end,” Bryce said. “I don’t know if it was nerves due to the large crowd, or we think we’re good enough to just roll out and go through the motions.”
Both Mariners basketball teams are off on the road this Friday (Jan. 21) and Saturday to face Columbia Bible College in Abbotsford.
VIU volleyball dominant
Vancouver Island University’s volleyball teams set the tone for Island Rivalry weekend with comfortable, yet exciting victories.
The women’s M’s defeated the Camosun Chargers on Friday at the VIU gym by scores of 25-19, 23-25, 25-12, 25-19. Lindsay McLoughlin led the attack with 16 kills, while Cheyla Reader made 18 digs.
In the men’s match, the Mariners beat the Chargers 25-18, 25-16, 25-23.
The VIU volleyball teams continue their homestand this Friday (Jan. 21) when the Fraser Valley Cascades visit, and Saturday, when the Columbia Bible College Bearcats come to town. Friday’s women’s match starts at 6 p.m. with the men at 8 p.m.; on Saturday, the women play at 1 p.m.; the men, 3 p.m.
