Brent Mutis, CapU Sport Info & Compliance Officer
A pair of serious injuries in the early going were not enough to derail the Capilano Blues in the PACWEST season opener on their way to a 76-60 win over the visiting Camosun College Chargers.
Late in the first quarter with CapU leading 20-9, fifth-year forward Emma Jones got tangled up away from the ball and seemed to suffer an injury to her lower leg. She was helped off the floor by teammate Meagan Briggs and Blues athletic therapist Laura Wood but she was not able to get back in the game.
In the second quarter, it was Camie Ward driving to the hoop after an inbounds play off the end line and she too went to the floor with an apparent lower-leg injury and also needed to be helped from the floor, not to return.
For head coach Chris Weimer (interview audio below), some sharp shooting from downtown was welcome as it helped the Blues maintain a lead despite the injuries. Jenna Griffin hit a pair from beyond the arc in the first quarter while rookie forward Venica Davignon scored her first points in Blues colours on a three.
CapU led by 15 at halftime and were up 55-36 going to the fourth quarter. Veteran centre Mackenzie Smith drained six of her 12 points on the night in the final frame showing some good mid-range touch.
Griffin wound up with 15 points to lead the Blues while Davignon concluded her debut with six points and five boards.
The Blues head stateside for exhibition games on Saturday, Nov. 12 and Sunday, Nov. 13. Saturday's game is a 2 p.m. tip off against St. Martin's University in Lacey, Wash. and Sunday's game is also at St. Martin's but will be against Western Oregon University. Both schools are NCAA Div. II opponents.
Capilano's next home game is Saturday, Nov. 19 when the Langara College Falcons pay a visit to the Centre for Sport and Wellness in a 6 p.m. start.
WBB | Final score 76-60 as the Blues defeat the visiting @CamosunChargers starting the season 1-0! #GoBlues #NorthVan pic.twitter.com/f8lki2rdgd
— Capilano University Blues (@CapilanoBlues) November 12, 2022
