Sailing Towards the Postseason

Mariners top 100 points for the 12th time this season, finish second in the conference following a win over the Douglas Royals

VIU Mariners men's basketball
Ekman Sohal (#5) is introduced in the VIU starting lineup prior to the February 21 game against Douglas College. The next time the Mariners will play at home is during the quarterfinals of the 2026 CCAA Men's Basketball National Championship on March 18. Photo: Mary Kessenich
Box Score
February 21, 2026

NANAIMO - The Mariners missed out on top spot in the PACWEST conference but will go into the PACWEST championship tournament on a high after consecutive big wins over the Douglas Royals.

The Camosun Chargers and Mariners both finished with 19-5 records but the Chargers claimed top spot in the conference thanks to a superior head-to-head record (3 wins to 1 loss).

Leading the charge for VIU in the 103-66 win was Winston Cole. In the back half of his best weekend in a Mariners uniform, Cole scored a game-high 32 points on 11 of 19 shooting from the field and 7 of 9 from the free throw line. He added four rebounds, two assists, and a steal.

Fellow guard Keyonte Beals had a tidy game with 24 points on 9 of 12 shooting, including six three-pointers. Fifth year forward Kai Leighton, in his final regular season varsity game, led the Mariners with 7 rebounds and 7 assists while also contributing 5 points.

Lorenzo Bonamin, with 16 points, and Derrick Monroe, with 15 points, topped the stat sheet for the Royals.

The second-seeded Mariners receive a bye to the PACWEST semifinals on Friday, March 6. VIU will face the winner of a quarterfinal game between the Capilano Blues and CBC Bearcats.

Graduating men's basketball student-athlete Kai Leighton is celebrated prior to his final regular season game
Graduating fifth-year senior Kai Leighton is celerated prior his final regular season game at the VIU Gym. Photo: Mary Kessenich