Young Blues top Royals in season opener

The CapU Blues men’s basketball team began the PACWEST season in style as they hung on to defeat the visiting Douglas College Royals, 91-79.

Under new direction and with a roster full of new faces, the Blues came out strong with energy and up-tempo play, ending the first quarter up 21-14. The Royals gave the Blues trouble as they came out of the quarter break in a 2-2-1 press, but the Blues settled down and went into halftime with a 43-35 lead. At the half, Graddy Zubaidi led the way for the Blues off the bench with 9 points and 2 rebounds and sharp shooter, Ethan McKean who tallied 11 points in the half, led the Royals.

The Royals started the fourth quarter with all the momentum as they narrowed the once 20-point lead to 13, 66-53. While there were moments where the Blues’ showed their youth and were troubled by the Royals full-court press; the Blues were able to score in transition and hang on to clinch their first PACWEST win of the season. The Blues had five players in double figures, 2014-2015 PACWEST rookie of the year, Martin Bogajev led the team with 16 points, Cordell Parker, EJ Mabone and Parm Bains each contributed 13 points and Zubaibai finished the game with 11 points. 

Emily Wright,  CapU Sports Information Director