This weekend tilt marks the first time these two teams have met since VIU's home opener, which still stands as the only overtime game this season. Can the Falcons go the distance again?
Friday - VIU 107, Langara 97
For some reason, the livestream stopped in the middle of warmups. If it brings any consolation, Markus Modrovic returned to the lineup, which Mariners fans won't complain about. They kept the lineup changes coming with another big move: Kye Kotapski-Tinga, VIU's leading scorer for much of the first semester, was moved to the bench to make room for Keyonte Beals as the starting shooting guard.
Langara also added a new face to their lineup: Vincent Guerina made his PACWEST debut after spending 2023-24 with the Douglas Royals.
Both teams traded threes in the middle of the first quarter, but the Mariners started to pull away after six straight points from Kye Kotapski-Tinga.
A three point lead isn't much, especially for two strong shooting teams like VIU and Langara, meaning the defense would have to be the difference maker for both teams. The second quarter was more of the same: Langara's offense is good, but VIU goes blow for blow with them and increases their lead. Keyonte Beals and Kye Kotapski-Tinga combined for 30 points before the end of the second quarter.
The third quarter was all VIU, punctuated by a Kai Leighton three at the buzzer. The fourth quarter saw Langara score seven straight points and even get the lead down to four points, but another Kai Leighton three looked to seal the deal. The Falcons still wouldn't go away, keeping it within three for uncomfortably long stretches.
The Mariners struggled to get their offensive mojo back as visions of their 14-point meltdown against Douglas danced through their collective minds. Thankfully, Kai Leighton put the team on his back as the Mariners barely got out of Vancouver with a win.
VIU had three players reach the 20-point plateau: Keyonte Beals had 25, Kye Kotapski-Tinga had 22, and Kai Leighton had 20. Leighton's performance was noteworthy, as 13 of those points came in the fourth quarter alone. Ryan Bastian and Winston Cole added 17 and 15 points on top of that.
Langara's offense continues to turn heads: Patrick Robinson's 24 points led the Falcons with James Zongo riding shotgun with 21. Luka Subotic and Vincent Guerina both looked comfortable running the point, combining for 14 points and ten assists. Aaron Ungprasert had a rather pedestrian performance compared to his November heroics, posting nine points, five rebounds, and a block before fouling out in the fourth quarter.
Saturday - VIU 92, Langara 69
Much like their last meeting, Friday's fireworks gave way to Saturday's box-standard VIU win. Langara's lone first half highlight was a buzzer beating layup from Brahm Nair.
From there, the Mariners never looked back. Though the Falcons kept up offensively, the lead was too large to overcome as VIU won their fifth straight game in convincing fashion.
Winston Cole had 16 points at the half and finished with 17 on the day. Keyonte Beals led all scorers with 19 points while Levi Van Egdom recorded 10 points, his first time reaching that mark since November 15th. Ryan Bastian recorded a career-high 19 rebounds in the win while adding three points.
Langara's offense ran through the usual suspects. Aaron Ungprasert led the Falcons with 16 points and eight rebounds off the bench, while Edrielle Asirit, Patrick Robinson, and Nixon Owusu combined for 35 points.
The Mariners return to the Lower Mainland next week to face their old friend Peter Li and the Capilano Blues.
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