The VIU Mariners will settle for silver at the CCAA Women's Basketball National Championships, after dropping a 76-71 overtime decision to NAIT on Sunday night. (Alex Rawnsley/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

HEARTBREAK

VIDEO: VIU Mariners fall agonizingly short in women’s basketball National Championship

Mar 27, 2022 | 9:59 PM

NANAIMO — The Mariners were asked to come from behind just one time too many,

The VIU women’s basketball team fell short in their gold medal game of the CCAA National Championships, dropping a 76-71 decision to the NAIT Ooks in overtime on Sunday, March 27.

The result wasn’t for lack of effort, will or drive.

After trailing by four points at the half time break, the third time they’d been behind at the midway point through the tournament in as many games, the Mariners came out strong to start the third quarter.

Kayla Gregory drives to the net in the 2nd quarter of the gold medal game on Sunday night. (Alex Rawnsley/NanaimoNewsNOW)

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A series of three pointers from third year guard Sydney Fetterly pushed the Mariners quickly into the lead and ultimately, albeit narrowly, held the advantage heading into the final quarter.

The fourth quarter was back and forth, scrambly and a test of patience and perseverence in the highest pressure of situations.

Scores were tied heading into the final 25 seconds of the game, with the Ooks incurring a shot clock violation to hand VIU the opportunity for a championship-winning drive with around 10 seconds remaining.

The Mariners weren’t able to get a last second basket to drop and the teams headed to overtime tied at 65.

Overtime was another gear from each team as the pace lifted. NAIT looked a little messy at times but VIU weren’t able to take a comprehensive lead.

Eventually, NAIT pulled away through a series of free throws as VIU looked to control the clock from the foul line with no time outs remaining.

It’s a heartbreaking end for the Mariners to a championship-worthy season. The team went 18-0 through PACWEST play and only lost two games all year.

It was the two games where it was all on the line, falling short in both the provincial and national final games.

The loss at provincials pushed the team from the top ranked side in the country, to eighth at their own tournament.

The crowd at VIU Gym was overwhelming biased towards the hometown Mariners, with capacity crowds for all three VIU games.(Alex Rawnsley/NanaimoNewsNOW)

The Mariners used home court to their advantage throughout the tournament, with another deafening crowd on hand Sunday night..

A boisterous and intense atmosphere greeted the team for all their games and occasionally dragged the team along through tough stretches of play.

Sunday’s gold medal game was no exception, with a standing-room-only crowd willing the team on.

Only one section, featuring players from the bronze medal-winning Lakeland Rustlers, who VIU beat to open the tournament, offering any sort of vocal support for NAIT away from the Alberta team’s own bench.

The VIU Mariners players are presented their silver medals following a heartbreaking overtime loss in the national championship game at VIU on Sunday night. (Alex Rawnsley/NanaimoNewsNOW)

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