Men's Gold Match Recap: The Shot Heard Round The World

Remember when we thought VIU vs. Langara was the game of the year? Those were good times.

VIU 78, Camosun 75

This is the kind of game that people talk about decades later.

The first quarter went as expected: It was a low-scoring affair between two strong defenses.

A 14-7 lead was VIU's to cherish after the first, but Camosun did what they've done so many times this season and rallied back to take a one-point lead at the half.

VIU took the lead back going into the fourth, but it wouldn't last long. A Cormick Brown three galvanized the crowd at PISE, tying the game at 54. Though the Chargers took the lead many times, they could never lead by more than one.

Winston Cole hit a jumper to increase VIU's lead to five with 77 seconds to go, but Thomas Beames retaliated to get it back within three. All Winston had to do was convert a layup, and VIU would surely win the title.

He missed.

Rebound, Tyler Synesael.

Camosun wastes no time on their ensuing possession. PACWEST MVP David Finch converts an and-one layup to tie the game with 38 seconds left.

If the Chargers win tonight, he's a legend in Victoria.

VIU had possession coming out of their last timeout, but Keyonte Beals missed a crucial layup.

Here we go again.

David Finch again.

Missed layup with 14 seconds left.

Destiny no longer in Camosun's hands.

Winston Cole holds onto the ball for what feels like an eternity. With two seconds left, he dishes the ball to a wide-open Kai Leighton.

Catch.

Shoot.

Swish.

The VIU Mariners are PACWEST champions on a last-second shot and rip out the hearts of the Camosun faithful.

Kai Leighton etches his name into VIU lore with a shot that felt like Roger Daltrey's primal yell at the end of "Won't Get Fooled Again." He finished the game with 21 points and was named Player of the Game and Tournament MVP. Keyonte Beals scored 20 points in the victory and Winston Cole added 13 points, nine of which came in the fourth quarter alone. Both of them were named Tournament All-Stars. Ryan Bastian also added eight points, 12 rebounds, and four assists.

David Finch and Tyler Synesael each recorded a double-double in the loss: Finch had 21 points and 12 rebounds, while Synesael had 14 and 10. Finch and Thomas Beames were both named to the All-Star team.

Both teams will represent the PACWEST in two weeks at the CCAA national championship in Nanaimo. VIU enters as the conference champion, while Camosun takes the conference's wild card spot.