Brent Mutis
CapU Blues sports info

Anytime two guys come off the bench and each get close to a double-double, you tend to like your chances.

That’s what the Capilano Blues got from Zach Klim and Shakir Yakubu on Friday night in the PACWEST season opener, an 87-76 victory over the visiting Douglas College Royals.

Klim, recently named the PACWEST and CCAA Athlete of the Week, scored 14 Friday on 6-of-7 shooting and grabbed 10 rebounds in 23 minutes off the bench while Yakubu went for 17 and eight with two blocks and an eye-popping seven steals in 27 minutes of duty.

Friday’s game saw the Royals still holding a five-point lead at the start of the fourth quarter but CapU dominated in the final frame, withDavid Featherston Jr. putting the finishing touches on a game-high 24-point evening for the Blues.

In his Blues debut, US import Damein Coleman scored 11 points with seven rebounds, three assists and a pair of steals. Capilano was efficient shooting the ball Friday, converting on 35 of 67 (52 per cent).

Saturday’s rematch was never really in question with the Blues building a 13-point advantage at half and removing all doubt with a 30-point third quarter to coast into the fourth on a 27-point cushion.

Fourth-year guard Kash Lang, in his second season with the Blues after a PACWEST First-Team All-Star campaign in 2023-24, sparked the Blues Saturday by turning in 24 points and six rebounds. Sophomore guard Arshya Ghasemi, an All-Rookie team member last season, went for 22 points including six threes.

Klim again came off the bench and did damage with 18 points and nine rebounds, coming just one board short of back-to-back double doubles.

CapU was without point guard Ahmad Athman for opening weekend but hope to have him back the next time they’re in action.

The Blues have a bye for the coming weekend and host Okanagan College Nov. 1 and 2. The Friday game will be an 8 p.m. start with tipoff on the Saturday going at 3 p.m.