Brent Mutis
CapU sport info

The Capilano Blues got standout individual performances both games but it was not enough on either night to overcome a reloaded Vancouver Island University (VIU) Mariners side that claimed home wins of 92-81 and 82-65 Thursday and Friday in Nanaimo.

Arshya Ghasemi, playing just his third game at the college level for the Blues, went for 24 points while adding four rebounds, three assists and two steals Thursday which kept Capilano in the game through to the finish but VIU's depth came through in the end to help them earn a nine-point victory.

Ghasemi had 16 of his points in the second half and the Blues got to within three in the fourth quarter after a pair of made free throws by Kash Lang but they were forced to foul late. VIU's Kaeleb Johnson was perfect from the stripe in the final quarter, helping seal the win for the Mariners. VIU also got a monster effort from U.S. import Adam Anhold as the 6-foot-8 forward scored 26 points and grabbed eight boards.

On Friday, Anhold outdid himself with a double-double on 26 points and 13 rebounds to go along with five assists and a block. He was dominant in the first half with 18 points though VIU led by only five at half time. 

CapU shot just 23 per cent from three on Friday, though Kobe McKnight dialled in twice as he scored six of his 11 points on the night from beyond the arc. VIU paid more attention to Ghasemi Friday and held him to five points. Lang led the Blues with 18 points while Zach Klim had 12 points and six rebounds and Anthony Tamburrino came off the bench to contribute seven points and seven rebounds. 

VIU guarded the perimeter well and held Blues sharpshooter Russell Curley to zero makes from three and kept Ahmad Athman to single digits each night though the point guard racked up 16 assists on the weekend.

Capilano has more road work ahead as they visit Douglas College Nov. 3 and 4. Tip off is 8 p.m. Friday and 6 p.m. on Saturday at Douglas' New Westminster campus.