Brent Mutis
CapU sports info
Playing some of their hardest minutes of the season, the Capilano Blues emerged from their final home weekend with a split against the Okanagan College (OC) Coyotes.
CapU had just seven players able to suit up for the weekend and leaned heavily on their starters on their way to a 72-41 win Friday and a tough 60-53 overtime loss Saturday.
Friday's win was highlighted by a career-high 28 points from Maddy Coffin who was 12-of-21 from the field and 4-of-4 from the charity stripe. The third-year North Vancouver native had the bulk of her production in the opening quarter when she outscored OC 16-14 by herself.
The Blues held the Coyotes below 15 points in each quarter Friday and allowed just a single field goal in the fourth. Barcha Hnizdilova did the work of two players with 10 points, 10 rebounds, nine assists and seven blocks.
On Saturday, shooting was a chore for the Blues, as they were 23 per cent from three and 48 per cent from the free throw line. Jenna Griffin hit a three each quarter but the fourth, when she and her teammates were operating on fumes.
Capilano was still in position to win it when Hnizdilova hit two free throws late, giving her a double-double for the ninth consecutive game. OC went the length of the floor down one on their final possession and got the ball to Ali Martineau who scooped a layup attempt but was a foul was called on Hnizdilova. Martineau made one of two to send it to OT where the Coyotes simply had more left in the tank and outscored CapU 10-3 over the five-minute extra session.
Saturday was the last home game in the careers of Camie Ward and Alanya Davignon who were honoured during Friday night's game. Teigan Manson was one of four Blues to play over 70 minutes for the weekend, along with Griffin, Hnizdilova and Coffin. Manson totaled 27 points and 19 boards in the two games.
Up next for the Blues is a Friday-Saturday road trip Feb. 16 and 17 to Columbia Bible College. The Blues (14-6) sit second in the PACWEST standings, four points up on CBC as of the afternoon of Feb. 10.
