Mariners Play For Gold

VIU Mariners vs. Geants de Saint-Jean – Saturday March 18, 4:30pm PST | WATCH HERE

For the second straight season the VIU Mariners have a chance to win national gold when they face the Geants de Saint-Jean from Quebec on Saturday in Hamilton.

The Mariners punched their ticket to this title game with a 77-69 semi-final win over the other RSEQ representative, the Dawson Blues on Thursday.  They came out flying in the third quarter and blasted the Blues outscoring them 20-9 to create some separation heading into the final frame.  In all, they shot 42% in the win with Harriette Mackenzie dominating with a game high 24 points and 17 rebounds and was a perfect 12-12 from the free-throw line.   Kayla Gregory added 16 points and CJ Buckley knocked down 14.

They will have their hands full with the Geants who beat the MSVU Mystics 84-71 in Wednesday’s quarterfinal, then took down the Humber Hawks 75-62 in Thursday’s semi-final.   They have been led by two players who represent most of their offensive punch; second year All-Canadian Rosalie Mercille and Sophie-Anne Bouffard.

It’s been 22 seasons since a PACWEST women’s team won a national title.  In 1998 the Malaspina Mariners won gold with a 66-41 win over the Mount Royal Cougars.