With a win in the first game of the 2013 Pacific Western Athletic Association (PACWEST) Basketball Championships in Victoria, the Kwantlen Eagles achieved their goal.
A 64-48 win over the Quest Kermodes Thursday evening pushed the women’s team into the semifinal round Saturday, one win away from a medal.
“Our goal was to win our first game and get a chance to play for a medal,” said Eagles head coach Dan Nayebzadeh. “We accomplished that goal. I’m really proud of the journey that our team took all year. We had trouble all year stringing wins together and in the end, our inexperience got the best of us.”
Following their win over the Kermodes, Kwantlen lost 75-57 on Friday night to the first-place Capilano Blues, then fell 68-41 to the Douglas Royals in Saturday’s bronze medal match.
Jessica Villadiego followed up her selection as a PACWEST second-team all-star with 14 points, five rebounds and four assists in the win over Quest, earning Player of the Game honours. Jeanneine Yngresso added 13 points and six rebounds while Samantha McPhail netted 12 points and snared 13 rebounds.
Sara Karuth was the Player of the Game against Capilano, coming off the bench to net 15 points and collect 11 rebounds.
Against the Royals in the bronze medal game, Amber-Lee Kavanagh landed the Player of the Game award with 13 points, four rebounds and one assist.