For the third consecutive week, both the men’s and women’s basketball teams at Kwantlen Polytechnic University had identical records.
Last weekend, with each team playing their first two home games of the PACWEST season, both Eagles squads came away with a win and a loss.
The women came the closest to winning both games, earning a 65-52 victory over the Langara Falcons Friday night, then dropping an overtime decision Saturday.
Leading 29-28 at halftime, the Kwantlen Eagles received double-digit scoring from a pair of players and an excellent all around effort from Jessica Villadiego of Surrey.
The graduate of Holy Cross high school grabbed seven rebounds, was credited with seven steals and scored seven points while adding six assists.
Jeannine Yngresso, also a Holy Cross graduate, led all scorers with 19 points while Laura Geissert netted 10.
“We competed hard, we were resilient when we were down earlier,” said head coach Dan Nayebzadeh. “After the first quarter, we really came together and started to play up to our potential.”
The Eagles scored 21 first-quarter points against Douglas on Saturday, and led 30-24 at the half. But they needed a three-point shot from Sara Kurath at the buzzer to force overtime, but were outscored 10-2 in extra time and lost 62-54.
Third-year centre Samantha McPhail dominated the boards with 17 rebounds, and also added 14 points and a pair of assists.
“The game was close all the way through,” said Nayebzadeh. “We made some critical mistakes and had a very low shooting percentage throughout the entire game which had a big impact on the result.
“And two of our starters fouled out midway through the fourth and it was really tough for us to compete in overtime without them.”
The Eagles men’s team lost on Friday before getting the win on Saturday.
Kwantlen was looking for an upset of the first place Falcons on Friday night, and led 48-47 at the half. Langara pulled away in the fourth quarter for a 100-94 victory.
Two Eagles from Surrey recorded double doubles, with Aaron Ram scoring 23 points and adding 10 rebounds, while Ali Bosir had 20 points and 10 rebounds.
Chris Arcangel contributed with 18 points, four rebounds and six assists.
“Langara is ranked in the top five in the (Canada),” said Kwantlen head coach Stefon Wilson. “We played hard and left it all on the court.”
Kwantlen built up a 16-point lead in the third quarter of Saturday’s game with the Royals, and stayed in front for a 90-85 win.
Bosir put up huge numbers with 25 points and 21 rebounds, and earned PACWEST Player of the Week honors for his efforts. Second-year forward Gurpal Mann of Surrey grabbed nine rebounds and tallied 20 points, while Ram collected 16 points.
The men are in a three-way tie for fourth place with two wins and three losses.
Kwantlen will host the winless Columbia Bible College Bearcats Friday evening in their only game next weekend. The women tip-off at 6 p.m., followed by the men at 8 p.m.