SHERBROOKE, Que. – Former league MVP Kyle Demarais scored 19 and 20 points respectively to lead all scorers but it was not enough as Bishop's dropped a pair of contests to the McGill Redmen on Thursday in Montreal and Saturday in Lennoxville.  This week marked the start of the 2015 portion of the RSEQ University Basketball season.
 
On Thursday in Montreal, Bishop's led entering the final frame before being outscored 22-12 by the Redmen, giving McGill a 78-71 victory.  Demarais (Montreal) led all scorers with 19 points; he added an assist, five rebounds and six steals in 36 minutes.
 
That drama was followed up with an epic battle on Saturday.  McGill led for the majority of the contest before Bishop's went on a run in front of over 500 fans packed into the Bishop's University Gym in the new sports centre due to renovations to Mitchell Gym.
 
The Gaiters were finally able to grab a lead, their first of the second half with 1:39 remaining in the fourth quarter.  After back and forth possessions, Jona Bermillo (Montreal) completed and old fashion three-point-play (to remain perfect from the free throw line on the year, 15-for-15) and the Gaiters regained a two-point lead with 1:07 to go.  Jenning Lung (Laguna, Philippines) took over at the offensive end for McGill in the final minute.  He converted a lay-up to tie the game then following a Gaiters missed shot he knocked down a three-pointer from the corner put the visitors up three with four seconds remaining.  Bishop's called time out and a last gasp three-point effort by Bermillo rattle off the rim giving the Redmen a 62-59 victory and a share of first place in the RSEQ at 4-2.  The Gaiters fall to 3-3 on the year and sit in third. 
 
The Laval Rouge et Or vault into a tie for first place also at 4-2 after sweeping a home-and-home series of their own with the UQAM Citadins (2-4).
 
"I think we played hard at times on Thursday night," said Gaiters head coach Rod Gilpin. "We played hard for 40 minutes tonight.  I'm really pleased with our effort.  We started knocking some shots down in the second half (Saturday) night and obviously that made a difference. Kyle looks like the league MVP he was four years ago, we are starting to come together; I think we'll be okay."
 
Bishop's is next in action on Thursday, January 15 in the first leg of another home-and-home series.  They will tip-off against Demarais' former team, the Concordia Stingers (1-3), in Montreal at 8 p.m. while the two squads will play at Bishop's on Saturday at 8 p.m.
 
Stay up-to-date anytime with the purple and silver at www.gaiters.ca.
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