Playing their first game in PACWEST league play in more than a month, the Kwantlen Eagles women’s basketball team seemed at the top of their game last Friday in Abbotsford.
Three players scored in double digits to help the Eagles to a 67-42 victory over the Columbia Bible College (CBC) Bearcats, improving their record to 5-4 (won-loss), tied for third place in the eight-team league with the Quest Kermodes and Vancouver Island Mariners.
“We had a great start and pushed the basketball up the court to get some easy baskets,” said Eagles head coach Dan Nayebzadeh. “It was great to get back to league games, we have a competitive road ahead.”
Six of the eight teams will qualify for the playoff tournament, and with a two-game lead over two teams tied for seventh, Kwantlen should be able to advance to the postseason if their play remains at its current level.
Christina Brown had a huge game, hitting six three-point shots to finish with a game-high 23 points. The first-year point guard from Langley also had six steals, three rebounds and a pair of assists.
Haeley Williams added 14 points along with three rebounds and four steals, while Jessica Villadiego contributed 10 points, seven assists, six steals and three rebounds.
Samantha McPhail grabbed 14 rebounds to lead the Eagles on the boards, while also scoring seven points.
The Eagles will host two rivals next weekend at Kwantlen Polytechnic University in Surrey. Tomorrow (Friday), the first-place Capilano Blues (8-1) will be the visitors. Quest will be the opponents on Saturday night.
Kwantlen’s men’s team had a chance to hang on to sole possession of fifth place, but are now in a three-way tie after falling 108-107 in overtime to the Bearcats in Abbotsford. Now at 3-6, the Eagles are even with Capilano and CBC.
Kwantlen led 48-42 at halftime, and held a lead late in the game until a three-point shot by the Bearcats at the buzzer knotted the score 98-98 and forced overtime.
Three graduates of local high schools were part of a group of four players handling most of the scoring.
Ali Bosir (Princess Margaret) recorded a double-double, netting 22 points and adding to his PACWEST rebounding lead with 26 boards. Jag Takhar (Guildford Park) added another 25 points, while Aaron Ram (Seaquam) contributed 20.
Chris Arcangel of Toronto, in his second year in an Eagles uniform, scored 24 points while earning five assists and nine rebounds.
“It seems that both teams could not miss shooting from the field. This was the first game after the break, so I was expecting a much lower scoring game,” said Kwantlen head coach Stefon Wilson. “We have to keep our offense playing at a high level and improve on the defensive side of the ball.”
The men will also host Capilano and Quest at Kwantlen on the weekend. The women tip-off at 6 p.m., following by the men at 8 p.m.
