CapU Blues sports info

A frigid start shooting the ball for the Capilano Blues could not be overcome in a mucky 57-45 setback to the visiting Vancouver Island University (VIU) Mariners Friday night at CapU's Centre for Sport and Wellness (CSW).

The visitors were up 14-0 before an Alexa Kusel three finally got Capilano on the board, almost six minutes into the first quarter. The Blues would score just five points in the frame, adding only 11 more in the second quarter. VIU's robust defending in the paint, plus some high-pressure tactics on the perimeter, made it difficult for the Blues to get into their offensive sets. The lack of rhythm meant scoring for Capilano came in fits and starts with no extended runs.

The Blues were able to hang around through the second and third quarters, only because VIU's shooting went cold as well. The Mariners scored just nine points in the second and third. Capilano's most productive stretch was in the third when Barcha Hnizdilova scored five of her eight on the night, including her lone three. 

In the final frame, the Blues got within three points, making the score 47-44 after three makes from the stripe by Hnizdilova, who was fouled shooting from beyond the arc. But the Blues offence stalled there and VIU's Sarah Cook got hot, scoring 10 of her game-high 15 on the night in a two-and-a-half minute stretch which included a pair of threes. 

For the game, CapU shot just 17 per cent (9-of-53) with four of those makes coming from downtown, three by Kusel on her way to a season-high 11 points. One bright spot for Capilano was their conversion from the free-throw line where they went 23-of-27 for the game. Maddy Coffin was 7-of-8 from the stripe, which accounted for all her points. 

Capilano will try to have a short memory and wipe the slate clean heading into Saturday's game, which is a 1 p.m. start at the CSW.