Falcons Face Coyotes

#4 Langara Falcons vs #5 Okanagan Coyotes - Thursday March 5, 8:00pm | WATCH HERE

Thursday night will wrap up the quarterfinals on the men’s side of the bracket when the fourth seeded Falcons meet the #5 ranked Coyotes with the winner advancing in the postseason.

A total of eight points separates these schools in the standings as they enter the championship tournament.  The Falcons won three of the four meetings during the regular seasonal series; however, the Coyotes won the last match up in overtime just two weeks ago. 

That overtime loss for the Falcons began a three-game losing streak coming into the playoffs as they look to snap the skid against the Coyotes. Two of those three losses came in overtime. Despite the recent losses, the Falcons have shown they can score in bunches with over 80 points a game, even scoring over that average twice during this current losing streak.  They are shooting 39% from the field with three players scoring double-digits led by Aaron Ungprasert and his 14.5 a game.

Meanwhile the Coyotes are back in the postseason after missing last year and come in as the fifth seed, winning their last game on Valentine’s Day.  They have had an extra week to prepare for the Falcons following their bye week during the regular season finales.  Oddly enough their last two games of the regular season came against the Falcons in Kelowna, winning their last contest in overtime, 87-85.  That victory snapped their four-game losing streak. 

The Coyotes can score points led by Phil Holmes Jr, but their defence will need to play their best game of the season if they want to advance.   They coughed up over 85 points a game this year, second most in the Conference with the fourth quarter being their worst, allowing over 22 points in the frame. Against the Falcons they allowed an average of 77 points each game, while scoring just over 66.

Offensively Holmes Jr is averaging a double-double of 16 points and 10 rebounds, while the team shoots 42% overall.  They have proven they can score from the outside, shooting 31% from the three-point line.

These schools last met in the postseason in a quarterfinal in 2024 with the Falcons earning a 92-90 win as the tournament was hosted by the Coyotes in Kelowna.

The winner advances to the semifinal on Friday where they will meet the top seeded and host Camosun Chargers at 8:00pm.