Metro Vancouver, BC …The KPU Eagles men’s and women’s basketball teams both won “key” games over the weekend in PACWEST regular season action. The men defeated Douglas College Royals, 66-61, in New Westminster, BC, on Friday and fell on Saturday to Langara College Falcons, 88-39. The women’s team defeated Langara College, 44-39, on Saturday, in Vancouver, and fell Friday night, 60-39 to Douglas College.
The women currently sit tied for 6th place with a 4-8 mark, with the Capilano University Blues. KPU is only one game out of 4th place overall as Langara College and Douglas College sit tied for 4th place at 5-7. The top six teams earn a berth in the PACWEST post season tournament.
The victory on Saturday night was a total “team effort” as Shilpa Khanna, a rookie from Surrey, BC led KPU with 17-points and 3 assists. Christina Brown, a third year guard from Langley, BC added 13 points on Saturday, against Langara and Amber-Lee Kavanagh, second year forward from Langley, BC, led the team with 12 total rebounds. “We brought a ton of energy to Langara on Saturday night and we did a good job on the offensive boards,” said KPU head coach Dan Nayebzadeh.
The Eagles men’s basketball team, improves to 2-10, one game behind the 6th place Camosun College Chargers (3-9), for the final PACWEST post season berth. The Eagles played very well on Friday night as they established a quick lead on Douglas, in New Westminster, and never trailed as they defeated the Royals by five points. Ali Bosir, a fifth year senior from Surrey, BC led the way with a 21-point performance and 17 total rebounds. Devin Haynes, a fifth year forward from Sechelt, BC, added 17 points and 6 rebounds. On Saturday, Haynes led all Eagles with 11 points and Obi Udevi, a first year guard from Surrey, BC added 10 points and led KPU with 12 total rebounds.
“We received a much needed split this weekend. We rebounded the ball and played solid defense. We must execute and shoot the ball better on the offensive end of the court,” commented KPU head coach Stefon Wilson.
Week of January 20th
The Eagles basketball teams host Capilano University Blues and Quest University Kermodes at the Eagles’ Nest this coming weekend. On Friday night, KPU’s women’s basketball team will host its first annual “Breast Cancer Awareness Night.” All game day proceeds will go to the CBCF Yukon/BC Chapter. In addition, the women’s team will run a silent auction in Grass Roots (Student Union restaurant adjacent to the Eagles’ Nest) from 5:30-9pm, with all proceeds going to CBCF.
(See image for more details).
Schedule
Friday, January 24
“Breast Cancer Awareness Night”
6pm Capilano @ KPU
8pm Capilano @ KPU
Saturday, January 25
6pm Quest @ KPU
8pm Quest @ KPU
Media Note: Abbotsford Heat/KPU Eagles Athletes of the Week will be announced Tuesday (January 21st).
The KPU Eagles Department of Recreation & Athletics are members of PACWEST (CCAA) with 100 student-athletes participating on eight varsity teams in men’s and women’s basketball, soccer, badminton and golf. KPU athletics plays its home games at the Eagles’ Nest (Surrey Campus), Khas Badminton Centre, Northview Golf & Country Club and Newton Athletic Park. Follow the Eagles on Twitter @KPUEagles and or visit the department’s web site at www.kpu.ca/athletics