The Final Island Rivalry

WOMEN

Camosun Chargers @ VIU Mariners – Thursday February 24, 6:00pm | WATCH HERE

It’s the final Island rivalry of the regular season as the Chargers visit the Mariners on a rare Thursday night. They haven’t met since the first weekend of the season when the Mariners swept the doubleheader by scores of 79-50 and 75-40. They shot 36.2% from the field and were led by Amber Lease who averaged 15 points a game during that weekend. The Chargers meanwhile struggled shooting the ball connecting on 23.7% of their shots.

The Mariners are still the top team in the country and are trying to complete an undefeated season. They already know they will be the top seed in next week’s PACWEST championship tournament and they are hosting the CCAA national championship in March.

On the other side the Chargers have lost two straight and are trying to end the regular season on a positive note heading in the playoffs. Regardless of the outcome they will finish fifth and play in a quarterfinal next Thursday, however their opponent is still yet to be decided as they will face the fourth seed.

Head-to-Head

Records: Chargers 7-10 – Mariners 17-0
Average Points For: Chargers 69.4 – Mariners 79.1
Average Points Allowed: Chargers 68.4 – Mariners 55
Field Goal %: Chargers 32.6% - Mariners 39.4%

Leading Scorers: Chelsea Espenberg – 12.6/game (Chargers) – Amber Lease – 11.2/game (Mariners)

Leading Rebounders: Tamiya Ness – 10.8/game (Chargers) – Shayce Johnston – 7.6/game (Mariners)

MEN

Camosun Chargers @ VIU Mariners – Thursday February 24, 8:00pm | WATCH HERE

It’s the regular season finale for the top two teams in the PACWEST when the Mariners welcome the Chargers. They haven’t seen each other since the opening weekend of the season when the Mariners went to Camosun and left with victories of 94-68 and 91-82.

Since that weekend doubleheader the Mariners have won every game they’ve played and are the top team in the CCAA preparing the PACWEST playoffs that start next weekend. In the seasonal series with Camosun, they shot 48.8% and Akoi Yuot showed the rest of the PACWEST he would be a force all season averaging 24.5 points a game.

The Chargers shot 36% against the Mariners in the first two games and Takeshi Croke averaged 14.5 points a game. They have won seven straight coming into Thursday night and have already clinched a first-round bye at the PACWEST championship next weekend as they will finish second behind the Mariners.

Head-to-Head

Records: Chargers 13-4 – Mariners 16-0
Average Points For: Chargers 80.6 – Mariners 99.3
Average Points Against: Chargers 72.9 – Mariners 77.4
Field Goal %: Chargers 41.7% - Mariners 50.5%

Leading Scorers: Takeshi Croke – 14.2/game (Chargers) – Akoi Yuot – 22.3/game (Mariners)

Leading Rebounders: Jake Wilmott – 6.9/game (Chargers) – Akoi Yuot – 9.6/game (Mariners)