SHERBROOKE, Que. – A heartbreaking finish on Saturday night for the Bishop's Gaiters men's basketball team left them with a split in a home-and-home series with the Laval Rouge et Or. Friday night in Quebec City, Bishop's rolled to a 72-57 victory before pacing themselves to a 54-41 lead with 5:37 remaining in the fourth quarter on Saturday in the New Gym at Bishop's University. Laval finished the game on a 16-1 run and stole the 57-55 win to split the home-and-home series and keep pace with Bishop's in the RSEQ University standings. 

Fifth-year senior Matt McLean (Ottawa) led the way for Bishop's in the provincial capital on Friday night. He played 39 of the 40 minutes scoring 15 points on 6-for-12 shooting and added seven rebounds, three assists and a steal.  Kyle Desmarais (Montreal) and Karim Sy-Morissette (Montreal) scored 13 points each while Jona Bermillo (Montreal) chipped in with 12 points that included a 4-for-5 performance from three-point land.  The win broke a deadlock for second place in the RSEQ standings giving Bishop's the upper hand heading into back end of the home-and-home series. 

In front of the largest crowd of the three games in the New Gymnasium at Bishop's University the Gaiters and Rouge et Or went shot for shot early on. The hosts held a 16-14 advantage after the first frame, while Laval answered and grabbed a 29-27 lead at the halftime break.  The third quarter Bishop's started to find a groove; they outscored Laval 20-12 in the stanza and led 47-41.  They extended their lead to 13 points in a frantic start to the fourth that cumulated with a McLean steal and lay-in with 5:37 remaining. Unfortunately for Bishop's that was the last field goal they scored.  Laval ended their 16-1 run in the second half of the quarter when Hughes Ryan (Montreal) nailed a three-pointer with nine seconds remaining to give Laval a 57-55 advantage. Bishop's was unable to get a good look as time expired and Laval grabbed the victory.  

The split leaves Bishop's and Laval tied in second place in the RSEQ standings with matching 5-5 records.  They are chasing the McGill Redmen (6-2) who had their bye this weekend. Concordia (4-4) sits in fourth and UQAM (2-6) is in fifth. 

Ultimately the RSEQ schools will look to earn a ticket to the RSEQ Final-4 that is set to take place on the Bishop's University Campus in the newly renovated Mitchell Gym from March 5-7. 

The Gaiters enter their bye week and are next set to play on Friday, February 6 when they host UQAM.  The game is set for 8 p.m. in Mitchell Gym and is part of the grand opening celebrations of the sports centre. 

Stay up-to-date anytime with Gaiter Athletics at www.gaiters.ca.
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