Chris Raeside
Sport Information Event Management, Media & Sport Development Officer
Mariners Narrowly Defeat Blues 64-59 in Hard-Fought Matchup
The Capilano University Blues came up just short against the Vancouver Island University Mariners, falling 64-59 in a gritty matchup on Friday evening. Despite a strong rebounding performance and a valiant effort from the bench, the Blues couldn't overcome the Mariners' balanced attack and timely three-point shooting.
The game saw the Mariners capitalize on their perimeter efficiency, knocking down 9 of 27 three-point attempts compared to just 3 of 17 for the Blues. Free throws also played a pivotal role, as VIU converted 86.7% of their attempts from the charity stripe, while Capilano struggled at 57.1%.
Blues Struggle to Finish Strong
The Blues found themselves in an early hole but fought back to keep the game close. Their reserves stepped up in a big way, outscoring the Mariners’ bench 52-25. Ahmad Athman led the charge with 17 points on 7-of-13 shooting, showcasing his offensive prowess. Kash Lang contributed 8 points and 5 rebounds, while David Featherston Jr. chipped in with 10 points and 4 rebounds.
However, turnovers proved costly for Capilano. The Blues committed 20 turnovers, leading to 27 points for the Mariners. Despite dominating the boards with 48 rebounds to VIU's 33, including 16 offensive boards, they couldn’t fully capitalize on second-chance opportunities.
Key Moments
Capilano’s largest lead was a mere 1 point, achieved late in the first quarter. The Mariners responded with a dominant stretch in the fourth quarter, extending their lead to as much as 16 points at the 7:11 mark. The Blues mounted a late comeback, narrowing the deficit, but the Mariners’ ability to hit clutch free throws sealed the victory.
Defensively, the Blues showed flashes of brilliance, with Damein Coleman and Lang combining for 7 steals. Despite their defensive efforts, the Mariners’ shooting from beyond the arc and composure in the clutch proved decisive.
Looking Ahead
The loss drops the Blues to a tough start in the series, but they’ll have an opportunity for redemption tomorrow at 3:00 PM in a rematch against the Mariners. Head coach Jason Price will undoubtedly look to tighten up the team’s perimeter defence and reduce turnovers as they prepare for another battle.
With bench production proving a bright spot and players like Athman and Featherston Jr. stepping up, the Blues will aim to carry their energy into tomorrow's game and split the series against their rivals.
The men's basketball team goes toe-to-toe with the #2 ranked team in the country.
— Capilano University Blues (@CapilanoBlues) November 23, 2024
Leading the way for the Blues:
Athman - 17 PTS, 5 REB
Featherston Jr - 10 PTS, 4 REB
Lang - 8 PTS, 4 AST, 4 STL pic.twitter.com/g9oqi297TE
Post-game interview with Ahmad Athman as we discuss holding the @CCAAportsACSC #2 ranked @VIUMariners to 64 points, what the team can clean up offensively tomorrow, his team-high 17-point performance, and the energy in the gym tonight.#GoBlues #BleedBlue #CapU pic.twitter.com/0BEcyhjsaK
— Capilano University Blues (@CapilanoBlues) November 23, 2024
