Undefeated at Home in 2023-24

NANAIMO, B.C. - VIU men's basketball completed an undefeated run of home games in 2023-24 with two victories over the visiting CBC Bearcats.

While the Bearcats handed the Mariners their only defeat of the season so far, 78-63 in Abbotsford back in November, the Mariners took a close game and a blowout win over the Bearcats at the VIU Gym to finish with a 12-0 home record.

Friday, February 2: VIU 80 - CBC 50
Box Score

After recognizing graduating senior Dan Zimmerman, the Mariners held the Bearcats to only 4 points in the opening quarter on the way to a 30-point win.

Zimmerman scored 5 points in the victory and added 6 rebounds, one assist, and one steal in 25 minutes of action. 

Senior guard Dan Zimmerman (middle) was celebrated for his four years as a Mariner. Photo: Mary Kessenich

Kaeleb Johnson held the hot hand for VIU as he scored a game-high 30 points on 11-21 shooting, including 6 for 12 for three. He scored 18 points in the second quarter as the Mariners opened up a 49-22 lead at the half. As a team, the Mariners shot 43.1%.

CBC's Damein Coleman Jr. was the only Bearcat to score in double-digits and finished the game with 13 points.

Saturday, February 3: VIU 92 - CBC 84
Box Score

VIU and CBC's Saturday rematch was a much tighter affair but the Mariners stretched a 2-point halftime lead into an 8-point win thanks to eight third-quarter points from Adam Anhold and 12 fourth-quarter points from Peter Li.

Anhold, who was named VIU's men's basketball athlete of the week, scored team-highs in points (22) and rebounds (7). Levi Van Egdom (21 points) and Cam Carter (18 points) led the Bearcats offense.

ALUMNI CELEBRATED

At the half, representatives of Mariners men's basketball 2013 and 1994 CCAA national champions were recognized on the court. Video compilations of highlights from their gold medal-winning games were also played on the gym's inflateable big screen.

Malaspina Mariners - 1994 CCAA Men's Basketball National Champions. Photo: Mary Kessenich

VIU Mariners - 2013 CCAA Men's Basketball National Champions. Photo: Mary Kessenich

UP NEXT

The Mariners (19-1) have a bye weekend on February 9-10. The team returns to action on Friday, February 16th (8 p.m.) and Saturday, February 17th (3 p.m.) at P.I.S.E. in Victoria for Island Rivaly matchups against the Camosun Chargers (14-4).

The Mariners and Chargers are the only two of seven teams in the PACWEST that have win-loss records over .500. Back in November, VIU defeated Camosun 71-63 and 69-63.

PATH TO THE PACWEST PLAYOFFS

VIU has clinched a top-two finish in the PACWEST conference, giving the Mariners a quarterfinal bye at the PACWEST provincial championships.

Even if Camosun sweeps its February 9 & 10 games versus Langara, one VIU win over Camosun the following weekend will clinch top spot in the conference for the Mariners. This would also set up a semifinal matchup with either the PACWEST's #4 or #5 seed. 

The 2024 PACWEST Provincial Basketball Championships are hosted by Okanagan College, February 29-March 2. Games will be held at the Kelowna Christian High School.

For more information, please contact Matt Carter, VIU Communicatons & Sports Information Coordinator.