CapU sports info

A slow start for the Capilano Blues Friday at the PACWEST semifinals ultimately was the difference in a 75-69 setback to the tournament host and No. 5 seed Okanagan College (OC) Coyotes.

OC went up 18-10 after the opening frame and went on to pull off their second straight upset win at the provincials, defeating the No. 2 Blues after sending No. 3 seed Columbia Bible College packing in Thursday's quarter-final.

Soleil Wilding had 10 of her 14 in the opening quarter, including a pair of threes, to help the Coyotes to an early advantage. Camie Ward was scoring well early for the Blues with a three and another bucket in the first quarter but she would be forced to the bench later in the first half after she got into foul trouble.

Capilano generated good looks and scored the ball well in the third quarter but couldn't get ahead of OC as the host side scored easily as well coming out of halftime to the tune of 24 points which included four from three-point range. 

Kirsten Abo led all scorers with 19 points for the Blues but needed to get 24 shots up to get there. She needed attention from the training staff in the third quarter as she collided with Jenna Griffin and rolled an ankle. Teigan Manson, usually part of the Blues starting lineup, was used in a reserve role as she was just getting over an ankle injury and was not 100 per cent healthy.

With the PACWEST having two berths to the CCAA national championships this year, simply getting to the final would mean a trip to the big dance but CapU was not able to overcome an OC side that was buoyed by an energetic home crowd. 

Capilano plays for bronze Saturday in a 12:30 p.m. start against No. 1 seed Vancouver Island University who were also upset in the semifinals with Douglas College defeating them 62-55.