Good Ship Mariner Keeps Sailing

NORTH VANCOUVER - The Mariners kept pace with the Camosun Chargers atop the PACWEST conference with two road wins over the Capilano Blues.

JANUARY 30: VIU 94 Capilano 80

Kye Kotapski-Tinga fueled a second-quarter eruption by the Mariners, enabling them to come back from a first-quarter deficit and claim a fourteen-point win over the Blues.

Capilano was up 29-17 after the first quarter, but Kotapski-Tinga scored 13 of his game-high 28 points in the second frame to put VIU up by six at the half. 

Keyonte Beals scored ten points in the fourth quarter to help seal the win for the Mariners. Beals scored 23 in the game and added 6 rebounds.

Capilano guard Kash Lang, who had two strong games against VIU in the fall semester, scored 27 points to lead the Blues.

Full air: VIU defenders Kaleb Wilson (L) and Markus Modrovic try to impede Kash Lang's drive to the hoop. Photo courtesy Capilano University Blues

JANUARY 31: VIU 100 Capilano 67

The VIU offence shot 50.7% and the VIU defence locked things down in the second half as a seven-point VIU lead at the half ballooned into a 33-point win for the visitors.

The Mariners outscored the Blues 53-27 in the second half, led again by Beals (10 points in the third quarter) and Kotapski-Tinga (14 poins in the fourth quarter). 

Forward Markus Modrovic had a standout performance. He scored a team-high 18 points on 7-of-12 shooting and added 5 rebounds, 3 steals, 2 assists, and a block.

For the Blues, Zach Klim scored a game-high 19 points and Lang added 16.

Up Next

The Mariners (15-3) return to home court to battle the Okangan College Coyotes (7-11). The Coyotes are close to clinching a postseason spot while the Mariners are looking for wins to stay ahead of Camosun in the race for top spot in the PACWEST. Games are on Friday, February 6 at 7 pm and Saturday, February 7 at 1 pm.

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