Brent Mutis
CapU Blues sports info
For the second time in three years, the Capilano Blues are champions of PACWEST men’s basketball and this time they did it on home court.
Capilano, the No. 3 seed in the tournament, knocked off the No. 1-seed Vancouver Island University (VIU) Mariners 75-70 Saturday night to book a spot at the CCAA National Championship.
The game was tied 55-55 heading to the fourth quarter but two minutes into the final frame, Capilano took a lead they would not relinquish on a three by Kash Lang. That was followed by a jumper from Ahmad Athman and another three from Arshya Ghasemi, which forced VIU to call a timeout.
VIU’s Kai Leighton made a couple of late threes to keep the Mariners in the ballgame to the final moments but the loud crowd at CapU’s Centre for Sport and Wellness, full of Blues volleyball and soccer players, erupted when David Featherston Jr. hammered a two-handed dunk with just 19 seconds remaining to all but seal the deal.
An Athman free-throw put the game out of reach and after a meaningless three-point heave by VIU’s Kam Bender bounced off the rim as the buzzer sounded, the boisterous student crowd swarmed to the court to celebrate.
Blues point guard Athman was named Player of the Game and tournament MVP after recording 21 points, seven assists, five rebounds and three steals in the title match. The fourth-year guard out of Oshawa, Ont. was heroic for the Blues, totaling 42 points, 11 assists, and nine rebounds in the semifinals and finals. His tenacious defending held conference Player of the Year Bender to just four points in the second half Saturday.
Capilano defeated Douglas College 89-63 in Thursday’s quarter-final, went to double-overtime with Camosun in Friday’s semifinals before coming out on top 75-66 behind 14 points, 22 rebounds and eight assists from Damein Coleman.
Featherston Jr. and Coleman were named to the tournament All-Star Team.
The Blues have now medaled in four consecutive PACWEST tournaments, winning silver in 2022, gold in 2023 and bronze last year. This is their fourth conference title in men's basketball.
Capilano will head to Montreal for the 2025 CCAA National Championship being hosted March 11 to 15 at Vanier College.
