Gold Medal Game: #1 VIU Mariners vs. #6 Camosun Chargers

In the men’s 2016 PACWEST Basketball Provincial Championship’s gold medal match, the undefeated and heavy favorite VIU Mariners faced the #6 Camosun Chargers. The PACWEST was awarded the men’s basketball wildcard so both teams had already qualified for the CCAA National Championship March 16-19 at Keyano College in Alberta prior to the game.

VIU proved their dominance right out of the gate as they outrebounded the Chargers 16-5 and took a 24-19 lead after the first quarter. John Thompson contributed 10 points for the Mariners and Mathew Hampton led the way for the Chargers with 7 points in the quarter.

Thompson continued to heat up from deep as he hit two 3-pointers early in the quarter to extend the Mariner lead to 37-26 with seven minutes to play before halftime.  But the Chargers would not go away as they went on a run behind a huge steal by Hampton to bring them within three, 39-36 with 3:56 to play in the half. Mariners’ Thompson hit four 3-pointers for 24 points and Hampton led the Chargers with 14 points in the half. 

Coming back from the break up 49-42, the Mariners were able to extend their lead to make it 61-46 with under five minutes to play in the third. From there, it was all VIU, as they outscored the Chargers 25-4 in the third quarter to go up 74-46 heading into the final quarter of play. The Mariners maintained complete control to win the PACWEST gold medal with a blowout win of 97-73 over the Chargers.

Player of the game John Thompson hit eight 3-pointers in the win for the Mariners. The Chargers were led by Mathew Hampton who finished off the night with 16 points and 5 rebounds.

Following the game, the men’s tournament all-stars were announced: Dallas Searles (Quest), Evan Woodson (Camosun), Mathew Hampton (Camosun), Jason Fortin (VIU) and Josh Ross (VIU). VIU’s John Thompson was named tournament MVP. 

Emily Wright,  CapU Sports Information Director