The Quest University Kermodes men's basketball team accomplished something on Sunday (Jan. 8) that it hadn't done for 11 months - win a game.
The Kermodes took down the Northwest Indian College (NWIC) Eagles 95-84 in a home exhibition game to start 2012 on a positive note. Before the win against NWIC, Quest last won a game on Feb. 5, 2011 when it beat Kwantlen 86-75.
"It's a good start to the year for us," said head coach Sean Shook. "Obviously we had a rough first half of the year so it was nice to actually get a win."
Quest was led by guard Jose Colorado, who poured in 32 points, including four three pointers. Shook said he hopes big things from Colorado in the New Year.
"He hasn't really gotten it going this year," Shook said, adding that Colorado got an increase in playing time against NWIC after an ankle injury to Gurminder Kang. "After Gummy got hurt in the first quarter, Jose came in made some shots and got himself rolling."
It was the second time the men's team hit the floor in 2012, after a scrimmage against Langara College on Friday (Jan. 6).
The women's team also took on Langara on Friday, pulling out a 64-53 win. Quest built a 19-point lead at the half and then cruised to the 11 point win in the team's first time on the court in 2012.
"Friday was a night to get everyone back into the game after the holidays," said women's team head coach Mike Woollard. "I feel we came out and did what we needed to in order to improve and get ready for the next few weeks. The girls defended well overall and that helped us get out in transition and get some open looks."
Maja Smiljic led the way for Quest with 18 points but also contributed with five assists and six steals. Nicola Hitchcock was also a force, leading the team in rebounds with 13 and scoring 10 points.
Both teams will make a trip to Vancouver Island for games against Vancouver Island University (VIU) on Friday (Jan. 13) and Camosun College on Sunday (Jan. 15). It should prove to be a challenging trip for the men's team, who remain winless in Pacwest regular season action.
"VIU has been beating on a few teams and you have to give Camosun credit - they keep finding ways to win," Shook said.
The men's team sits in seventh place in the Pacwest standings while VIU and Camosun are second and fourth, respectively. The women's team will hope to maintain its fourth-place standing when it takes on VIU (second) and Camosun (sixth).
For more information on Quest athletics, visit www.questkermodes.ca.
