Ss Falcon women keep on fighting Women’s basketball team still in the run up for playoffs despite 12 losses By KAYLA ISOMURA team faced a tough loss Saturday against Vancouver Island Univer- sity after winning big Friday night against Camosun College. The VIU Mariners dominated the game despite the Falcons’ hard work. “We kept in the game,” said forward player Charlotte Lau, who scored 10 points and made four assists. “We had a good 40 minutes of de- fence and everyone was working to- gether, which is great.” Falcons head coach Mike Evans said the team lacked defence earlier in practice and was glad they were able to make up for that in Saturday’s game. Evans said the school didn’t recruit enough tall players this year, causing a disadvantage to the team. Lau, at five-foot-eight, is one of their taller and more experienced players. Lau played on the basketball team for Quest University for three years be- fore coming to Langara. Evans said Lau remains consistent and said she played well against the Mariners, who he calls one of the big- gest teams this year. “It was tough to lose that one,” said Lau, disappointed after her team beat the Camosun Chargers the night be- fore. The result of Friday night’s game made it the team’s “biggest win of the year,” according to Evans. Despite their nine-point loss against the Mariners, Evans said the team still has a chance to make the playoffs this year because of the 57-43 win against the Chargers. Camosun and Langara are close in this year’s rankings, according to PAC- WEST, B.C.’s athletic association. Camosun ranks sixth, while Langara ranks seventh. VIU is currently placed in third. This weekend’s games give the Fal- cons a total of five wins and 12 losses in 17 games so far this season. Te: Langara women’s basketball KAYLA ISOMURA photo Charlotte Lau is one of the Falcons’ top scorers. THORSTEN GOHL photo Glen Ruby is a brilliant defence player, coach Ebe said at Saturday’s game. Falcons defend Ist position Men’s team has four more games to go until playoffs begin By JAMES MCLAUGHLIN Ine ~Falcons men’s basketball team defended their first-place ranking with an 83-76 win against the University of Vancouver Is- land Mariners last Saturday. For the Falcons, the game was a hard fought battle from the start with the Mariners taking an 11-point lead in the first quarter. By halftime, the Falcons were down 38-42. Midway through the second quarter guard Elliot Mason made a cross-court alley-hoop pass to forward Jesse Jef- fers to cheers from the crowd in the bleachers. Coach Paul Eberhardt made his dis- agreement with some of the referees’ calls apparent throughout the game. “We got pushed around a lot in the first half,” he said. The Falcons were only up by five points with two minutes until the final buzzer, but after Jeff Chu made a steal on the Mariner’s side of the court, fol- lowed up by a two-point free throw, their momentum appeared to be un- stoppable. With less than two minutes left, the Mariners called a time-out. “1-2-3 Defense,” shouted the Falcons from their huddle and they were back on the court. The Falcons have a reputation of be- ing an offensive team, but ultimately it was their defense that scored them the win. “In that fourth quarter it was some of the best defense we have played all year,” Eberhardt said. “T think that was the difference in the end.” The Falcons have four league games left until playoffs start. The PACWEST provincial playoffs begin February 28 at Camosun College and continue through to March 2nd. FALCONS next games MEN'S BASKETBALL Friday Feb. 8, 8 p.m. at Kwantlen Polytechnic University Saturday Feb. 9, 8 p.m. at Columbia Bible College WOMEN'S BASKETBALL Friday Feb. 8, 6 p.m. at Kwantlen University Saturday Feb. 9, 6 p.m. at Columbia Bible College BRIAN HORSTEAD photo Langara students at Mr. Brownstone Bar and Grill for Hockey Night on Main My Hockey-loving loners toast their team The return of the Canucks has prompted a new round of booze-filled fun at the Langara Social Club By BRIAN HORSTEAD ithout hockey, Vancouver Whee: feel the same. That’s the message that stu- dents attending hockey night at Mr. Brownstone Bar & Grill on Jan. 30 shared as they clinked glasses and set- tled in to watch the game. The Langara Social Club hosted the event, allowing students a chance to get together and support their team. Canucks fan and marketing student Cameron Winter is happy the lockout is over. “Tm pretty thrilled because it brings your friends together and you have something to do on the weekends,” Winter said. “It’s something to look for- ward to. “Vancouver is Vancouver because of the Canucks. When the Canucks are gone, I feel like it’s just a normal city.” Winter has no hard feelings over the delay and never considered boycotting games. “Obviously it was going to come back and it is a business, so as much as you love the game, people are trying to make money.” Sony Fu, a Langara student, is new to the country and was eager to soak up some Canadian culture. “You still need to pick up culture so you can be more like them [Canadians] and make more friends,” said Fu. “Tm already in love with hockey, I’m even training to be a skater. [hope to be a hockey player soon,” she said. The Langara Social Club was found- ed last semester by marketing students Jade Solacito and Nico Sto Tomas, and aims to build a strong community and culture by hosting events for the Lang- ara student body. “There’s a lack of community at Lan- gara. When you compare the campus to acampus like UBC, there’s more of a unified culture,” said Solacito. The problem is that too many see Langara only as a stepping-stone to university, she said. “T feel a lot of people view Langara as a transitional school and don’t spend all their time here . . . it’s their first step, not a place to stay and settle in.” The Langara Social Club is already planning its next event, Easy A’s, to cel- ebrate the start of spring break.