Twenty-Twenty Force
Mariners open up the new year with two exhibition wins against the ACAC's SAIT Trojans
NANAIMO, B.C. - Calgary's SAIT Trojans gave the Mariners a good test but VIU shook off some holiday rust to earn two exhibition victories at the VIU Gym.
January 4: VIU 60 - SAIT 55
Down 27-24 at the half, the Mariners roared back with a big third quarter and held on in the fourth to earn a five-point win.
Ten Mariners earned points in the game, led by fifth-year guard Chloe Scaber. She scored 15 points with nine of them coming in second half. Kiayra Hohlweg, returning from a fall semester injury, showed plenty of pace and added nine points.
SAIT's Brook Baker, who sits second in the ACAC conference in points per game (21.3), led the Trojans with 17 points. Anegol Wol added 12.
January 5: VIU 63 - SAIT 51
Mariners guard Mackenzie Cox dives for a loose ball versus the SAIT Trojans. Photo: Matt Carter
VIU pulled away in the second half on the way to a 12-point win over the Trojans.
It was another close game at the half as VIU led SAIT 30-29. In the second half, guard Makayla Kimble scored 11 of her 13 points--including nine in the fourth quarter--to pace VIU to the win.
Kimble and Scaber scored 13 points each while forward Mackenzie Hall led VIU with 14 points.
SAIT's Macy Mulholland scored a game-high 16 points and Baker added 12.
UP NEXT
The Mariners (12-0) open up the 2024 spring semester at the VIU Gym on January 12 (6 p.m.) and January 13 (1 p.m.) versus the Douglas College Royals (6-8). VIU defeated Douglas 61-43 and 62-31 in October 2023.
For more information, contact Matt Carter, VIU Mariners Communications & Sports Information Coordinator.