Vancouver Island University basketball teams took on challenging opponents and came away with three out of four wins.
The VIU Mariners men’s and women’s basketball squads were on the mainland this past weekend, playing at Langara College on Friday and Douglas College on Saturday.
The M’s women won both games, handling the Langara Falcons 72-50 and then beating the Douglas Royals 55-38.
“Great weekend winning in two very tough places to play,” said Bill McWhinnie, coach of the VIU women, in an e-mail. “I thought we were outstanding defensively.”
The coach called Jenna Carver the “heart and soul” of the team after the veteran forward recorded back-to-back double-doubles. Carver had 21 points and 23 rebounds in Friday’s win and Jamie MacFarlane and Sienna Pollard added 14 points apiece.
The next day it was Pollard’s 26 points leading the way and Carver had 11 points and 10 boards.
The M’s men, meanwhile, lost 76-69 to the Falcons on Friday but bounced back with a 79-74 win at Douglas. Justin King scored 35 points and came down with nine rebounds in Saturday’s victory and Chris Parker scored 14 points.
GAME ON … The VIU Mariners men and women host the Capilano Blues this Friday (Jan. 23) and the Quest Kermodes on Saturday at the VIU gym. On Friday the women’s game is at 6 p.m., followed by the men at 8 p.m. Saturday’s tipoff times are 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.
