Stronger As One
Mariners pull together and claim an emotional PACWEST Championship; Harriette Mackenzie named tournament MVP
NORTH VANCOUVER, BC - Throughout a challenging 2024-25 season, VIU women's basketball repeated the mantra that their strength was their togetherness. In front of an engaged crowd at the PACWEST Championships, the Mariners proved it.
VIU earned its seventh PACWEST conference championship following a 69-59 victory over the Columbia Bible College Bearcats at Capilano University. VIU forward Harriette Mackenzie, urged on with plenty of crowd support, scored a game-high 21 points and pulled down 10 rebounds. Mackenzie Hall grabbed a team-high 12 rebounds while Mackenzie Cox had a huge impact from the guard position. She played a team-high 33 minutes, scored 12 points (including going 8 for 9 from the free throw line), and counted 6 assists and 2 steals.
The Mariners pose with the 2024-25 PACWEST Championship banner and trophy. Photo courtesy Capilano University Blues
The Mariners held leads of 17-13 after the first quarter and 40-33 at the half. After the third quarter ended in a 12-12 stalemate, the Mariners locked things down in the fourth. Makayla Kimble and Kaia Simpson each hit a vital three-pointer while Harriette Mackeznie counted 6 points and 4 rebounds in the final quarter.
PACWEST Championship All-Stars Mackenzie Cox (#6), Makayla Kimble (#8), and MVP Harriette Mackenzie (#23) receive their awards from PACWEST representative Jenn Naiman (Okanagan College). Photos courtesy Capilano University Blues
Following the game, Mackenzie Cox was named VIU's Player of the game. She was later named a PACWEST tournament all-star along with Kimble and Harriette Mackenzie was named tournament MVP.
The Mariners and Bearcats both advanced to the 2025 CCAA Women's Basketball National Championship in Fredericton, New Brunswick.
Earlier in the tournament, the Mariners won their semifinal matchup with the Capilano Blues, 67-53. Harriette Mackenzie was VIU's player of the game after earning a double-double from 23 points and 11 rebounds.