A Golden Match-Up

#3 Okanagan Coyotes @ #1 VIU Mariners – Saturday March 5, 5:30pm | WATCH HERE

The women’s PACWEST gold medal game will feature an interesting match-up when the Mariners face the Coyotes in their first ever championship game.  Both teams have already qualified for the CCAA national championship tournament regardless of the outcome.

The Mariners haven’t lost this season and got past the Dougals Royals in Friday’s semi-final 59-45 thanks in large part to a massive third quarter that saw them outscore the Royals 22-5.  The Mariners didn’t shoot the ball particularly well at 33.3% with Shayce Johnston leading the way with 18 points.  During the regular season they beat the Coyotes three times averaging a 17.6-point victory and shot an impressive 50.6% from the field.  Ranika Guyton averaged 20 points in the two games she played, and Courtney Buckley averaged 18 points.

The Coyotes are in the gold medal game for the first time in just their third season and are guaranteed a PACWEST medal and a spot in the CCAA nationals because the Mariners are hosting.  They upset the Capilano Blues on Friday 82-73 to punch their ticket to his game shooting 39% and playing solid defence.  In their three games with the Mariners this season they didn’t play well overall however in their last match-up they lost by only five points.  They shot 35.5% in the seasonal series led by Jordan Kemper who averaged 19.3-points and Paloma Niz Velazquez who dropped 14 in the two games she played.

Saturday night the Mariners are vying for their third straight PACWEST gold while the Coyotes are looking for their first in program history.   This game will be the third in three days for the Coyotes.

Head-to-Head

Records: Coyotes 10-6 – Mariners 18-0
Average Points For: Coyotes 78.8 – Mariners 79.7
Average Points Allowed: Coyotes 64 – Mariners 55.4
Field Goal%: Coyotes 38.9% - Mariners 39.7%

Leading Scorers: Jordan Kemper – 17.7/game (Coyotes) – Ranika Guyton – 12.6/game (Mariners)

Leading Rebounders: Jodan Kemper – 8.3/game (Coyotes) - Shayce Johnston – 7.5/game (Mariners)