The Wesmen College basketball teams participated in the Manitoba College Athletics Conference (MCAC) Final Four Championship on March 12 and 13.

On Saturday night, the women’s team took on Providence College in the semi-final. 

In the first half, the score stayed quite close, but the Wesmen put on a full-court press and took over the game in the third quarter.

They defeated Providence 58-34, which eliminated Providence and advanced the Wesmen to the championship game.

In the final on Sunday, the College Wesmen were up against the Red River Rebels.

Fourth-year point guard Keiko Kobayakawa was excited before the game.

“I was excited, but not anxious,” she said. “I wanted to have fun in the final, and I did.”

The Wesmen played well, but the Rebels came out strong as well.

“ I was excited, but not anxious. I wanted to have fun in the final, and I did.

Keiko Kobayakawa, fourth-year point guard, College Wesmen women’s team

Throughout the entire game, neither team was able to hold on to a lead. With only seconds left in the game, Winnipeg was down by three. 

Forward Julia Anning stepped up for the College Wesmen and hit a three-point shot to send the game into overtime. 

In overtime, it came down to the final minute once again.

Winnipeg was down by four with a minute left on the clock when Shawna Solarchuk was fouled on a three-point shot. She hit the three, and her foul shot, to tie the game.

With only seconds left, Solarchuk was fouled again. At the line, she went two for two and the Wesmen won the championship, 57-55. 

Solarchuk was named Player of the Game, and Anning was selected as the Final Four MVP. Both Anning and Kobayakawa were selected to the MCAC Women’s Basketball All-Conference Team.

On the men’s side, the College Wesmen defeated Oak Hills College in the semi-final. 

In their championship game on Sunday, the Wesmen fell to the Red River Rebels 89-78. 

Forward Andrew Rowan was disappointed with the loss.

“It just wasn’t our day,” he said. “We struggled with our shooting and we had some guys in foul trouble. They outplayed us and they deserved it.”

The College Wesmen men’s team finished second in their first season, and three athletes were selected to the MCAC Men’s Basketball All-Conference Team including Jon Picicci, Given Isaac and Lexy Blacksmith.

Published in Volume 65, Number 23 of The Uniter (March 17, 2011)