SHERBROOKE, Que. –  Abdul Kamane (Montreal, Que./Vanier College ) picked up his double-double of the season, but it was not enough for the Bishop's Gaiters as they fell, 75-69 to the Concordia Stingers in a physical RSEQ men's university basketball contest at the Mitchell Gym in Lennxoville, Saturday. The sophomore forward scored 19 points and 11 grabbed 11 rebounds, both regular-season highs, as he was 6-for-13 from the field and 7-for-12 from the free-throw line.
 
Bishop's (5-13, 2-8 RSEQ) started slowly, as Concordia took an 8-0 lead only 1:03 into the game, forcing the Gaiters into an early time out. However, they recovered with a 7-0 run to take a 9-8 lead, and eventually led 17-15 after the first quarter. The Gaiters took their largest lead of the night, 28-20, with 3:45 left in the second quarter, but Concordia closed the half with a 5-0 run to send the game to halftime tied at 32-32.
 
The Stingers (12-8, 6-4 RSEQ) broke the game open in the third quarter, using an 11-3 run to take a 50-40 lead on the Gaiters with 3:47 left in the period, and they led 58-47 after 30 minutes. The Gaiters came back and used a 6-0 run in the last two minutes to pull to within three points, 72-69, with 30 seconds to play. However, Concordia made three free-throws in the final 30 seconds to clinch the win.
 
In addition to Kamane's 19, Joany Castor-Thadal (Saint-Leonard, Que./Champlain-St. Lambert) scored 16 points for the Gaiters, while Jona Bermillo (Montreal, Que./Vanier College) added 14. Kamane's 11 boards led the Gaiters, with Nick Harvey (Saint-Bruno, Que. /Champlain-St. Lambert) grabbing nine before fouling out in the fourth quarter.
 
For Concordia, Ken Beaulieu picked up a double-double with 14 points and 14 rebounds before he fouled out. Ricardo Monge led the Stinger scorers with 15 points, while Schneiders Suffard added 12.
 
The teams combined for 44 fouls, with Concordia going 8-for-15 from the line and the Gaiters hitting 18 of 27 free throws. Bishop's shot 31% from the field, while Concordia shot 44%.
 
The Gaiters are back in action on Thursday, Feb. 2 as they visit the McGill Redmen in Montreal. The return match is set for Saturday, Feb. 4 at the Mitchell Gym.