Mariners - Royals Semi-Final Preview

The first of four semi-finals on Friday at the PACWEST basketball championships open at 1:00pm when the defending champion third seeded VIU Mariners battle the second seeded Douglas College Royals.

After their terrific 14-4 season the Royals earned the bye in round one and will see their first live action today.  They shot 37.4% during the regular season and have a number of different weapons that can beat teams lead by their All-Star Rachel Beauchamp who averaged a double-double during the regular campaign (15.7+10.7).  Second Team All-Stars Ellen Fallis and Sarah Jorgenson are also averaging double digits this season and can shoot from inside and outside.

The Royals are the most veteran team in the PACWEST with 10 of their 11 roster players in their fourth or fifth years.

They will face the Mariners for their third time this season after they took out the Langara Falcons in yesterday’s quarterfinal 73-64.  They shot 44.6% and exploded in the third quarter scoring 24 points while holding the Falcons to nine.  Emily Clarke was outstanding dropping 20 points and was named player of the game.

The Royals beat the Mariners twice in their three game regular season series but both teams shot 31% from the field.  Fallis led the Royals with 11.6 points a game and Sienna Pollard countered with 13.6 a game.

The winner of today’s semi will play for PACWEST gold tomorrow.

WATCH HERE

Last playoff meeting: Friday March 6, 2015 – Douglas 62-57

Head to Head in 2016-2017 – Royals 2 – Mariners 1

#2 Douglas College Royals

PACWEST Record – 14-4
Home 6-2, Road 8-2
Points Per Game – 68.3
Field Goal % - 37.4%

Leader: Rachel Beauchamp: A PACWEST First Team All-Star.  She averaged a double-double during the regular season scoring 15.7 points a game and grabbing 10.4 rebounds a game.  She showcases great power down low and shot 45% from the field.

#3 VIU Mariners

PACWEST Record – 10-8
Home 4-5, Road 6-3
Points Per Game – 59.1
Field Goal % - 33.2%

Leader: Emily Clarke: A proven winner, she dropped 8.5 a game this season taking 208 shots and hit 31 from behind the arch.   She’s also tough under the hoop gathering six rebounds a game.