The VIU Mariners put on a clinic during their last home games of the season, picking up dominant victories over the visiting Columbia College Bearcats and Kwantlen University Eagles. With the victories, the Mariners finished the season undefeated on home court in the PacWest this season, amassing a 10-0 record.
On Friday, February 20 the Mariners took on the Columbia Bearcats. The Mariners dominated the game early, taking a 37-7 lead after the first quarter. They expanded their lead in the second quarter, taking a 64-30 lead into halftime. The Mariners’ offense continued to roll in the second half as they scored 120 points for the first time this season, picking up the 121-59 win over the Bearcats.
The Mariners’ offensive outburst continued the next day against the Kwantlen Eagles. The game was tight early on, but the Mariners finished the first quarter with a big run to take a 33-13 lead. In the second quarter, the Mariners jumped out to an early 42-14 lead. At halftime, they had a 67-29 lead. VIU managed to surpass the 100-point barrier before the fourth quarter even began. As the team led 103-48 at the start of the fourth quarter, the Mariners surpassed their season high in points, which they set the previous day, with a 136-63 win over the Kwantlen Eagles. The Mariners outscored their opponents over the weekend 257-122.
The Mariners have an 18-1 record, good for 36 points on the season. The Mariners are four points ahead of the second place Langara Falcons, who have a 16-3 record on the season.
The Mariners don’t play any other home games this year, but the team does have two more games on the road before the Provincial Championships. Their last games are on Friday, February 27 against the Capilano Blues and Saturday, February 28 against the Quest Kermodes. The Mariners will also be the top seed at the Provincial Championships, which will be held in Abbotsford from March 5-7.
