After two losses opened up the new year, the Douglas College Royals women’s basketball team was looking for a reboot.
They got it, but it didn’t come easy.
Douglas recorded its first win of 2019, rallying to top the Langara College Falcons 68-65 to stay apace of the race for second place in the PacWest league.
It all came together thanks to a strong fourth quarter, when the Royals caught fire and rallied on a pair of free throws by first-year guard Cassandra Brinn. The two from the line came after Langara had staged its own comeback to take a 65-64 advantage with 34 seconds remaining.
Seventeen seconds later, the Falcons’ Eloise Faehndrich was tapped with a foul that put Brinn in the shooter’s spot. Having missed a pair of free throws in the second quarter, the Richmond native redeemed herself and put her team in the lead for good.
“We were down by eight and then up by
four in the fourth, but it all came down to the final minute,” noted Douglas coach Steve Beauchamp. “(Brinn) had missed two free throws earlier and a wide open lay-up, so for her to get another chance to put us back ahead, and then to do it, was pretty nice.”
The Royals spent the first 33 minutes of the game in a deficit, trailing by eight to start the final quarter. And while they charged back and claimed the lead with a spirited run, Langara did its own march in reversing that lead in the game’s final minute.
After Brinn’s two free shots, Malena Mokhovikova added a block and a key rebound, then sank a free throw herself to create a two-point cushion.
Considering the slow start, and a pair of losses the week before that kicked off the second stage of the season, the Royals coach was pleased to see the Royals reply with a win, even if it did cause a few more grey hairs.
“It was certainly one of those games fans enjoy,” said Beauchamp. “We dug ourselves a hole but found a way to keep close.”
Rachel Beauchamp, last year’s PacWest Player of the Year, set the tone with 26 points, including 16 points in the second half, as well as 15 rebounds. Mokhovikova
cashed in 15 points, 11 boards and seven
blocks, while Brinn finished with seven points. Coming in off the bench was New West’s Devin Strome, chipping in three points, a rebound and a steal.
For Langara, New West native Stephanie Von Riedemann tallied five points and five rebounds.
Getting a win after last week’s sweep at the hands of the Capilano University Blues (68-45, 61-53) was crucial in the fight for second place. At 5-4, Douglas is just two points back of the Blues but in a three-way tie for third spot, six points back of the first-place Vancouver Island Mariners.
As the defending regular season champs, the Royals had some credentials to protect entering the season. But a nearly complete turnover has meant there is a rejuvenation occurring in the New West campus gym.
“To be honest, I’m pretty pleased with the progress,” said coach Beauchamp. “We only have two returning players, so that’s 10 players who are new to college ball. They are experiencing a different game, the physicality and back-to-back schedule that wasn’t a big part of high school game.”
The Royals visit Camosun College in Victoria this weekend for two games. As that was the team that handed them a disappointing loss in last year’s provincial semifinals, there is a recent history that could work as motivation. But having just two holdovers from last year’s lineup makes that a stretch, noted Beauchamp.
“There’s still half the season to go, so I think the lessons of the first half will hopefully pay off from here on.”
ROYALS SALVAGE SPLIT WITH FALCONS
The Douglas College Royals men’s basketball team rocketed out to a big lead and held the visiting Langara Falcons at a safe distance in Saturday’s 95-79 victory.
It may have been a response to a tough loss the night before.
The Royals and Falcons each put up a win during their two-game series last week, resulting in the New West team pulling into a tie for second place.
On Friday, Langara proved to be the better squad thanks to a huge second quarter. Leading 55-34 at the half, the Falcons managed to keep Douglas at bay just enough to collect the win.
Scoring 17 points each in a losing cause were Courtney Anderson and Tyrone Asenoguan.
A day later, Anderson would put up a game-high 27 points and add nine boards in leading the Royals past Langara 95-79.
Asenoguan counted 20 points, while Josiah Mastandrea chipped in 19 points. New West native Sylvester Appiah netted eight points in support.
The Royals, who sit at 6-4, tied with Capilano for second place in the PacWest league, visit Camosun College this weekend for a pair of games.
