Pilots women’s basketball team doubles up on trophies

Providence College’s women’s basketball team continues to add to their trophy case.

The team went into the Northern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference tournament as the number one seed and proved why they earned that ranking, holding off a late charge from Trinity Bible College in the final minutes of the final Feb. 22.

After a back and forth opening half, the Pilots managed to build a 10-point third quarter lead. Trinity battled back to pull the game within three, but three quick baskets within a 40-second span mid-way through the fourth turned the game. Faith LaRocque hit two of those baskets, including an acrobatic layup twisting around a defender.

Providence crushed Nueta Hidatsa Sahnish College in the quarterfinals before battling past fellow Manitoba team St Boniface in the semi-finals. Head coach Kendall Perpall was named NIAC coach of the year and LaRocque was player of the year.

Sydney Last, Adrian Alley and Fiona Garcia were named to the all-conference team.

The conference includes teams from North Dakota, South Dakota and Minnesota alongside Manitoba competition.

Both the men’s and women’s teams will be playing in the National Christian Colleges Athletic Association regional qualifiers next week.

With the addition of Red River college to the MCAC ranks, Providence will only play in Canada next year, allowing some would-be graduating seniors to play out their fifth and final year of eligibility next season. American rules only allow for four years of eligibility.

“There’s some great things that I love about the American game, and things I love about the FIBA (International) game, and if we could mash up both of them that would be great for my mental health,” Providence men’s coach Pierre Dubreuil quipped in a half-time interview during the women’s championship broadcast.

“We’ve enjoyed our time here, and enjoyed this tournament,” he added.

“It’s been a blessing for us to be here and compete in the NIAC. We hope to see some of you again next season in exhibition play.”

Canadian Mennonite University won the men’s tournament.

FUTSAL

Providence College hosted the MCAC futsal championships last weekend as well, but neither host team could come away with a banner.

The fourth-seeded men’s team fell in a tight game to St Boniface 5-4. In the final, the Brandon Bobcats, who needed extra time to beat CMU in their semi-final, squeaked past St Boniface 2-1.

On the women’s side, Providence battled past St Boniface in the semis before falling 5-3 to Brandon in the finals.

VOLLEYBALL

The men’s final in MCAC is set, with CMU defeating Assiniboine College in straight sets Feb. 20 in the conference semi-final.

Providence earned a bye to the final after finishing first in league play during the regular season.

The championship is a best-of-three series with games scheduled at the Niverville Resource and Rec Centre Feb. 27/28. First serve is set for 7 p.m. Feb. 27 and 2 p.m. Feb. 28.

CMU will take on Assiniboine in the women’s final to see who will join Providence at the upcoming Canadian Colleges Athletic Association national championships, which will be hosted in Niverville.