Crazy Eights

PENTICTON - There were shades of the shorthanded 1994 Mariners national championship team on display to start the season as an eight-man rotation scored early and often in two victories at Okanagan College. 

Friday, October 17: VIU 112 Okanagan College 72
Box Score

Guard Kye Kotapski-Tinga made a big statement towards his season in a campaign-opening win against the Coyotes.

Koptapski-Tinga scored a game-high 28 points (11 for 15 from the field) and launched a game-high 6 assists to lead the Mariners. Forward Ty Cyr, in his first varsity game, scored 20 points from 6 for 8 shooting and was a perfect 7 for 7 at the free throw line. 

Noah Steingart (16 points) and Phil Holmes Jr. (15 points) were the top point-getters for Okanagan College.

Saturday, October 18: VIU 100 Okanagan College 66
Box Score

The first quarter went the way of the home team as they finished the first ten minutes with a 24-19 lead. After that, it was all Mariners as VIU raced to a 34-point win. 

VIU forward Ekman Sohal was a perfect 8 for 8 from the field and led the Mariners with 22 points. Kotapski-Tinga and Markus Modrovic each scored 16 points while Kai Leighton was one point shy of a double-double (9 points, 11 rebounds). 

Ryan Dekleva was the most impactful Coyote. He grabbed a game-high 13 rebounds and scored 18 points.

Athlete of the Week

Kotapski-Tinga's breakout weekend resulted in his recognition as VIU men's basketball athlete of the week.

Up Next

The Mariners (2-0) remain on the road and head to Abbotsford to take on the CBC Bearcats (1-1). Games go Friday, October 24 at 8 pm and Saturday, October 25 at 2 pm. Watch the livestream on the CBC Bearcats YouTube page.

For more information, contact Matt Carter, VIU Mariners Communications and Sports Information Coordinator.