The Mariners’ men’s basketball team entered their holiday break with a perfect 7-0 record. With the seven-game winning streak to start the season, the Mariners were ranked as the best basketball team in the country. The Mariners played their first game of the second semester against the Camosun Chargers January 9 in Victoria.
The game was a tightly contested affair, but when the final buzzer sounded the Mariners picked up the 79-71 victory. The Mariners started the game well, opening up a 17-12 lead after the first quarter. The Chargers kept the game close in the second quarter, not letting the Mariners expand their lead. At halftime the VIU led 33-29. The Chargers came out strong early in the second half, taking the lead 37-35 early in the second half. When the third quarter ended the Chargers held on to a narrow 55-53 lead. The Mariners battled hard in the fourth quarter, taking the lead in the game’s final minutes and holding on for the victory.
The win improved the Mariners’ record to a perfect 8-0 on the season. The Mariners 16 points are two more then the second place Quest Kermodes.
The Mariners have 13 more games left to complete their post-Christmas schedule, including seven games at the VIU Gym. The Mariners travel to the mainland for their next two games, January 16 and 17, against the Langara Falcons and Douglas Royals. The Mariners returned home for their two games the following weekend. Against the Capilano Blues on Friday, January 23, and the Quest Kermodes on Saturday, January 24.
The game against Quest will mark the second meeting of the season between the top two teams in the PacWest. The Mariners picked up the victory in the first game between the two teams by a score of 84-77. For more information on the Mariners and their schedule, visit <mariners.viu.ca>.
