Gold Medal Showdown

#3 Capilano Blues @ #1 VIU Mariners – Saturday March 4, 8:00pm | WATCH HERE

It’s déjà vu all over again when the Mariners and Blues meet for the PACWEST gold as they did last year.

The Mariners held off a ferocious attack from the Langara Falcons in last night’s semi-final 99-83 victory outscoring the Falcons 24-15 in the final frame.  They shot 52% with both Akoi Yuot and Richard Henderson registering double-doubles combining for 47 points.

They saw the Blues three times over the course of the regular season winning all three games with the closest margin of victory by 10 points in their last meeting on February 4^th.  They will no doubt use their twin towers of Yuot and Henderson down low against the physicality of David Featherston and Zach Klim.  That said, don’t count out the Mariners backcourt of Tori Odom and Landon Radliff who can take over a game from the outside in a heartbeat.

Like the Mariners, the Blues are stacked with veterans including CJ Campbell and Tyrone Asenoguan.  They have been important pieces in their two wins this weekend and will be asked to do even more today against the Mariners.  Both process great speed and a quick release on the offensive side.

With this game filled with stars, it could be some of the role players that make the difference.  If Kai Leighton or Dan Zimmerman for the Mariners or Josh Dhillon or Russell Curley of the Blues can catch fire, it may put their team over the top.

This is only the third time these two have met in the PACWEST gold medal game with the Mariners winning both last season and in 2017.  The Mariners are looking for their ninth Conference gold medal while the Blue are vying for their third last winning in 2003.

Both teams are off to the national championship regardless of the outcome and will represent the PACWEST in Calgary in two weeks.