Brent Mutis, CapU sport info & compliance officer

The Capilano Blues will be the No. 1 seed for the PACWEST provincial tournament after winning their final two regular season games in convincing fashion on the road at Okanagan College (OC).

It was a scorching start both nights that propelled the Blues to the pair of wins over the Coyotes as they built a lead of 21 points after 10 minutes Friday on the way to a 65-49 win. On Saturday, they led by 15 points after the first quarter and won it 74-47.

Needing a win in the second game to ensure first place in the standings, the Blues were ready from the opening tip with Kirsten Abo scoring 14 of her 18 in the first half including four three-pointers. 

Ida Jonsson-Ojala took over in the third quarter with 11 points on 5-of-7 shooting on her way to a second-consecutive 17-point outing. Meagan Briggs was the Blues' top rebounder with eight boards while also providing eight points and four assists. 

In Friday's opener, Jonsson-Ojala keyed the attack, recording 10 points, four rebounds and three assists in the first quarter. Alexa Kusel hit a three coming off the bench in the opening frame and wound up matching a season high with seven points.

Capilano's scoring pace slowed as the game progressed but Mackenzie Smith helped maintain the lead with eight points and three boards in the second quarter. Both teams struggled to score the ball in the second half though CapU did just enough to hold their double-digit lead through to the final buzzer.

With a record of 16-2, CapU will finish in first place regardless of how Vancouver Island University (VIU) fares in their games Feb. 22 and 23 against OC as the Blues won the season series against VIU.

The PACWEST provincial championship tournament is March 2 to 4 at Camosun College in Victoria. As the No. 1 seed, CapU will have a bye into the semifinals.