The Douglas College Royals men's and women's basketball team faced the Vancouver Island Mariners last week in back to back home games over the weekend, with the women falling short on both matchups and the men's undefeated streak being snapped as they split both games with VIU.
On Saturday, the women started the game well with the opening frame being a back-and-fourth affair ending with the Mariners up by a field goal. However, a 9-2 VIU run in the second quarter opened the gap for the Mariners as they led by twelve at halftime. The Mariners then outscored the Royals 37-23 in the second half to end the first game 72-46.
The men's game took a similar route as the Royals were behind by two field goals at the end of the first quarter, but it was in the second where third-year VIU guard Tori Odom's seven points helped the Mariners extend their lead to nine points at the half.
The Royals brought some renewed energy in the second the half, sparked by Courtney Anderson's back to back field goals from beyond the arc giving the Royals a three-point lead midway through the quarter. The Mariners would take back control of the game in the fourth as they went on a 14-4 run and would close out the Royals 95-80 to hand Douglas its first regular season loss this year.
Sunday's game saw an improvement for the women, highlighted by 1st year forward Kenya Reid, who dropped a career-high 13 points. The Royals, however, still could not find an answer to the Mariners as VIU once again outscored the Royals with key runs in the third quarter to take the 72-53 victory.
The men turned the tide from the night before and had an outstanding bounce back game Sunday afternoon. Led by a season and career high 34 points from the backcourt tandem of Anderson and second year guard Dylan Kinley respectively, the Royals would secure the second leg of the home-and-home set 105-99.
The women now place 4th in the PACWEST standings with a 5-4 record, while the men continue to lead the PACWEST standings with a record of 8-1.
The Royals next home game will be Saturday January 18th against the Capilano University Blues.
