Title Pursuit Cut Short by Second-Quarter Surge

The Capilano University Blues quest for a PACWEST provincial title came to a bittersweet conclusion on Friday night as they fell 70-59 to the Douglas College Royals in the semi-final. Despite a tenacious fourth-quarter rally that brought the Blues within two possessions in the final minute, a decisive scoring run by the Royals in the first half proved to be the difference.

A Battle of Runs

The opening frame was a defensive grind, with Douglas holding a slim 18-17 lead after ten minutes. The second quarter saw the Blues find their rhythm early, trading baskets and capturing the lead on several occasions. It was a significant night for rookie Jade De Fondaumiere, who, after coming off the bench in the quarter-final, earned the first collegiate playoff start of her career. She finished the night with 8 points and 6 rebounds in the high-pressure environment.

The Blues final advantage of the afternoon came at the 7:24 mark of the second quarter, when Barcha Hnizdilova found her spot and drained a smooth jump shot from the elbow to put Capilano up 23-22. However, the momentum shifted instantly; the Royals erupted for a 12-0 run immediately following that bucket, vaulting ahead 34-23 and forcing the Blues to chase the game for the remainder of the contest.

Digging Deep

Trailing by as many as 15 points midway through the third quarter, Capilano refused to fold. Madeleine Coffin led the offensive charge with a team-high 20 points, while Hnizdilova finished with 14 points and 8 rebounds. Mia Parkin anchored the interior, recording a steady 10-point, 11-rebound double-double.

Through a disciplined defensive effort, the Blues chipped away at the deficit. With just under 1:20 remaining in regulation, Capilano had clawed back to within five points, putting the Royals on their heels.

The Final Stretch

The comeback attempt ultimately ran out of time. Forced to foul to stop the clock, the Blues watched as Douglas remained composed at the charity stripe, finishing the game 80% (12-of-15) from the line. The Royals also utilized a 52-41 rebounding advantage to limit second-chance opportunities and seal their spot in the gold medal game.

Looking Ahead

While the loss stings, the tournament isn't over for the Blues. The focus now shifts immediately to the podium as they prepare for a quick turnaround.

Capilano will face the Columbia Bible College Bearcats in the Bronze Medal match tomorrow at 12:30 PM. The Bearcats are coming off a tough loss of their own against the VIU Mariners by an identical score of 70-59.

For the Blues, tomorrow represents a chance to claim more than just a piece of hardware—it's an opportunity to close out the season with a performance that honours the work they've put in all season long.