Playoff Preview: Another Crack at the Blues
VIU looks for redemption after losing last year's title game to Capilano
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | T |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
18 | 22 | 14 | 26 | 80 |
|
|
25 | 25 | 25 | 19 | 94 |
Team Stats
Capilano
| Game Statistics | Capilano | VIU |
|---|---|---|
| Field Goals | (33-73) | (32-66) |
| Field Goal % | 45.2% | 48.5% |
| Rebounds | 28 | 35 |
| Assists | 15 | 14 |
| Turnovers | 11 | 11 |
| Pts off Turnovers | 13 | 11 |
| 2nd Chance Pts | 13 | 13 |
| Pts in the Paint | 2 | 4 |
| Fastbreak Pts | 0 | 0 |
| Bench Pts | 31 | 22 |
VICTORIA, BC - The Mariners know they will be at the 2026 CCAA Men's Basketball National Championship as hosts, but would much rather be there as the PACWEST champions. Their first obstacle is a Capilano Blues team that upset them in last year's conference title game.
Who, When & Where
- PACWEST Championship Semifinal: VIU Mariners (19-5, second seed in the PACWEST, CCAA ranked #8) vs Capilano Blues (16-8, third seed in the PACWEST)
- Friday, March 6 at the Pacific Institute for Sport Education, Victoria, BC, 3:00 pm
- Visit the Tournament Website for more details
Tune In
The game will be streamed on PACWEST TV on YouTube.
Head-To-Head
VIU won three of four meetings with Capilano this season. In November on the road, the Mariners took down the Blues 85-77 before the Blues rebounded in the remtch to win 98-88. In January, the Mariners swept the Blues on home court thanks to 94-80 and 100-67 victories.
The Mariners went 10-2 in the spring semester with their two losses coming to Camosun College.
The Blues went 8-4 in regular season play after the calendar changed to 2026. They have won seven straight, including a 90-71 win over the CBC Bearcats in the PACWEST championship quarterfinals.
Watch Out Now
Capilano: Four Capilano players won PACWEST awards: Kash Lang, First Team All-Star; Zach Klim, Second Team All-Star; and Afu Bullock and Alfonso Reyes, All-Rookie Team.
VIU: The Mariners enter the game with three conference award winners on the roster: Kai Leighton, First Team All-Star and Defensive Player of the Year; Ryan Bastian, Second Team All-Star; and Kye Kotapski-Tinga, Second Team All-Star.
The Stakes
Whie the Mariners have already qualified for the national championship as hosts, a conference championship could improve the team's seeding in the national tournament. For Capilano, the Blues need to win to keep their chances at conference gold and a trip to nationals in play.
The winner moves on the PACWEST gold medal game on Saturday, March 7 at 8 pm against the semifinal winner of Camosun College and Okanagan College.
If the Mariners win their semifinal against Capilano, the winner of the other semifinal will also automatically qualify for the CCAA national championship. If Capilano wins, the second qualifying spot wil go to the winner of the conference gold medal game.
VIU hosts the 2026 CCAA Men's Basketball National Championship presented by TD from March 18-21. Tournament passes are on sale now at Showpass.
For more information, please contact VIU Mariners Communications & Sports Information Coordinator Matt Carter.