Lauren Grey
Blues Crew, Communications

The Capilano Blues stormed into the provincial semifinals with a commanding 77-51 win over the Langara Falcons in the quarterfinals of the PACWEST Provincial Tournament. It was a performance that was worlds apart from their last meeting with Langara at the end of January when the Blues dropped both games at home. But this time, Capilano made noticeable improvements in every aspect of their game, from limiting turnovers to hitting their shots from deep. The Blues also out-rebounded the Falcons on both ends of the floor 45-36, which was a key piece of their game. 

The Blues came out firing on all cylinders right from the tip-off. A dominating first quarter saw them establish a commanding 27-9 lead, setting the tone for the rest of the game. That early advantage allowed them to control the pace, and they led by at least 20 points for most of the game. By halftime, Capilano had built a nearly insurmountable 45-21 lead, with their defence suffocating Langara’s scoring chances and their offence clicking on all fronts. By the time the final buzzer sounded, the Blues had secured the 77-51 win, allowing them to get all their bench players onto the court to finish strong. Everyone was able to touch the court tonight for the Blues, which is rare in a playoff game but very important in ensuring everyone is rested. 

The Blues ball movement was lethal, and every player seemed to contribute to the offensive flow. Mia Parkin, the PACWEST Rookie of the Year, had a standout performance, finishing with 21 points, 12 rebounds and logging 30 minutes, breaking down Langara’s defense with her slick handles, making them look like they were on skates. Maddy Coffin notched 17 points, 7 rebounds and four blocks. Coffin has been a force on defence all year, giving some of PACWEST’s biggest stars trouble under the hoop.

With the win, Capilano moves on to face the Vancouver Island University Mariners in the semifinals tomorrow at 5:30 PM. The Mariners finished first in the PACWEST this year with a 21-1 record. The Blues will need a big push to get past them. With a huge performance tonight, the Blues are riding high and will look to carry this momentum forward as they continue their pursuit of a provincial championship. 

Mia Parkin was named Player of the Game.