Brent Mutis
CapU sport info

Blues point guard Kirsten Abo and rookie forward Barcha Hnizdilova proved a tandem too much to handle for the visiting Columbia Bible College (CBC) Bearcats as Capilano claimed back-to-back wins  to improve to 7-3 on the season.

The duo each posted consecutive double-doubles to lift the Blues to a 76-66 win Thursday and a 67-47 victory Friday. Hnizdilova went for season highs in both points and rebounds with 21 and 13 on Thursday while Abo had 31 with 11 boards. On Friday, Abo made her double-double on points and assists with 11 and 10 while Hnizdilova scored 13 with 11 boards.

After a hard-fought match Thursday, neither team was sharp in the opening quarter Friday with Hnizdilova the only Blues player to score a basket in the first 10 minutes which ended 8-7 in favour of the Blues. CapU's offence showed more life in the second frame with Alanya Davignon scoring four points and swiping two steals off the bench while Teigan Manson, Sereena Hothi and Maddy Coffin all found their way onto the scoresheet as well.

Capilano finished Friday's game strong, limiting CBC to eight points in the fourth quarter while Camie Ward hit two threes to help put the game out of reach

Coffin had an especially difficult assignment for the weekend, guarding the PACWEST's leading scorer and rebounder in Elissa Vreugdenhil. The Blues forward was up to the task and while Vreugdenhil still got her share of rebounds, Coffin held her to 13 points Thursday and eight on Friday.

In Thursday's opener, the third quarter was key for CapU as they held the Bearcats to just nine points in the frame. In addition to her double-double, Hnizdilova also filled the stat sheet Thursday with four steals and four blocks. 

The Blues finish the 2023 portion of the schedule next weekend with games Dec. 1 and 2 against Camosun College. Friday's game is a 6 p.m. start with Saturday tip off set for 1 p.m.