Women's Weekend Recap: Anarchy in Abbotsford

VIU and CBC, especially on the women's side, have a lot of recent history. Their fierce battle in last year's PACWEST gold match combined with more sinister off-court controversy has led to games between these two becoming must-watch TV.

Friday - VIU 55, CBC 47

This game was a textbook slugfest. Every made basket felt like a cannon shot in the hostile confines of Abbotsford.

In the beginning, Hyewon Hwang made her presence known, scoring six of CBC's 14 points and leaving VIU in a ten-point hole. The CBC crowd, cowbells and all, echoed throughout the walls.

However, a 14-3 run spearheaded by Kaia Simpson thrusted the Mariners back into the game as the Bearcats watched their lead crumble to two at the half.

Both teams remained even in the third quarter, but a buzzer-beating three from Allison Bentley put the Mariners up 43-34 with a quarter to play, a lead they would never relinquish.

Despite an early trio of free throws from Kendal Dueck, the Mariners pulled away to secure an extremely cathartic 55-47 win.

Through the first three games of the season, VIU's scoring has mostly been carried by one or two players, but the specific players rotate on a by-game basis. Tonight, it was Trista Thorn and Kaia Simpson's turn to pop off, with the two combining for 23 points and seven rebounds.

The star of the show for CBC was Kendal Dueck, who scored 14 points and grabbed six rebounds, but committed four personal fouls.

Saturday - VIU 55, CBC 60

VIU's dream of an undefeated season has come to an early end.

Similar to last night, both teams played equally throughout the first three quarters, but CBC did just enough to keep the Mariners away. The Mariners, despite valiant efforts in the second and third quarters, didn't hold a lead past the first three minutes. With today's win, the Bearcats have now won games against every PACWEST team.

Four different Bearcats reached double figures, including the game's leading scorer, Julie Dueck, who scored 14 points and added 5 rebounds. Kagari Tomita and Hyewon Hwang combined for 21 more points, while AJ Sobotta added ten more off the bench.

Kiayra Hohlweg can take solace in an outstanding individual effort. She registered a 13-point, 14-rebound double-double, while Trista Thorn added 12 points of her own.

The Mariners will open their homestand next week, when they welcome the Langara Falcons to town.