CJ Pentland, CapU Sports Information Director / Photos Paul Yates, Vancouver Sports Pictures
Two of the top teams in the PACWEST traded leads 12 times on Friday night, but in the end it was the Langara Falcons (10-2) who came out on top with an 87-76 win that knocked the Capilano Blues (9-3) from a tie for top spot in the PACWEST standings.
Both teams topped the century mark in their last meeting in November, which Cap won 107-101, and it appeared that might be the case again with each side flying out of the gate – with Cap up 24-23 after the first quarter.
The Falcons switched to a zone defence in the second, while helped them take over the lead and push it up to nine. Cap was able to stay in it with some big shots from beyond the arc, with Greet Gill knocking down a three-pointer as the first-half buzzer sounded to cut the deficit to six.
The fast pace continued in the third, with Capilano going on several short runs that cut into the Langara lead. Yet each time it appeared that the Blues might take back the lead, the Falcons answered with fast-break scores or a three-pointer of their own. Despite Cap putting up 23 points in the final frame, Langara scored 21 to ensure the 11-point win.
Gill, the league's leading rebounder, posted a double-double for the Blues, posting 16 points and 11 rebounds to go along with five assists and two steals. Fourth-year Hassan Phills was also all over the court, tallying 14 points, four rebounds, four assists, and two steals. Cap shot 41.7% from the floor and 39.3% from beyond the arc, but went just 3-of-9 from the free throw line.
For Langara, Harry Brar posted 25 points on an efficient 11/14 shooting, while Drake Downer added 15 off the bench. Ravi Basra added to his league-leading assist total with nine, while also recording five steals.
The season-series between the two teams now sits at one win apiece, with one more game left in the regular season. The game comes during the last weekend of the PACWEST season, and it'll be sure to decide playoff seeding — in addition to being another high-octane affair.
Capilano is back in action Thursday, February 2 when they take on Abbotsford’s Columbia Bible College at the Sportsplex in North Vancouver. Tip-off goes at 8 p.m.
