MONTREAL – Abdul Kamane (Montreal, Que./Vanier College) scored a season-high 31 points for the Bishop's Gaiters on Thursday night in Montreal but it was not enough as the UQAM Citadins chalked up their first victory of the year, an 88-85 win in RSEQ University men's basketball action.  The two squad will play the back end of a home-and-home on Saturday night in Mitchell Gym in Lennoxville.
 
Kamane, the conference's top scorer helped his cause after coming off the bench.  The junior played 29 minutes going 7-15 from the floor, which included a 4-6 performance from behind the arc.  He was also 13-15 from the free throw line to give him a season-best 31 points.
 
Junior Yassin Naji (Lunel, France/Lycée Pothier Orleans) scored 15 points and fifth-year senior David Belanger (Sherbrooke, Que./Champlain-St. Lambert) netted 13 to round out the Gaiters in double figures.
 
Charles Miller led the way for UQAM scoring 17 points while Misi boye Jeanneau added 16, Stefan Mitrovic 12 and Christopher Doumpa 11 for the Citadins.
 
After Bishop's got out to a 26-22 first quarter lead, UQAM evened the score at 44 heading into the halftime break. The game remained close in the third stanza with UQAM finishing the frame on an 11-2 run to grab a 63-62 advantage heading to the fourth.  UQAM seemingly held momentum but were unable to put the Gaiters away who kept giving themselves a chance.  In crunch time, Bishop's had the ball with 17 seconds left and down a point. They elected to drive the rim right away but were unable to convert. On the ensuing possession as Bishop's was trying to send the Citadins to the line they were a little overzealous and committed an unsportsmanlike foul.  UQAM converted on one of two from the charity stripe but maintained possession.  Again, Bishop's fouled and UQAM knocked down both free throws to give them a four point lead.  Bishop's used its final timeout to advance the ball where Kamane banked home a three pointer, again cutting the lead to one with just over three seconds remaining.  Another Gaiters foul and two UQAM successful free throws left the Gaiters with one option, a failed baseball pass the length of the court and UQAM earned their first victory of the season while handing Bishop's their fifth loss.
 
The win moves UQAM to 1-6 this year and the loss drops the Gaiters to 1-5.  They have split the season series to-date.
 
Next up these two squads will try and replicate the drama from Thursday night's contest when they play in Mitchell Gym on Saturday night at 8 p.m. Tickets for the game can be purchased online at www.gaiters.ca/tickets or game day at the door.  The game will also be streamed live at www.gaiters.ca/webcast.
 
Stay up-to-date with everything Bishop's Gaiters at www.gaiters.ca or on social media using @BishopsGaiters and #GaiterNation
 
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