LENNOXVILLE, Que. – Less than a week after winning their season opener, the Bishop's Gaiters will face a test of two perennial powerhouses in U SPORTS women's basketball.  On Thursday, the Gaiters are in Montreal to tip off with the McGill Martlets at 6 p.m. and on Saturday they host the nation's top-ranked team, the Laval Rouge et Or at 6 p.m. in Mitchell Gym.
 
Last time out
Bishop's (1-0)
Metchline Gabelus (Montreal, Que./Champlain College St-Lambert) had a career-high 21 points and grabbed 12 rebounds while playing a full 40 minutes in the Gaiters' 69-65 win over the UQAM Citadins on Saturday. Sharpshooter Maude Archambault (St-Augustine-de-Desmaures, Que./Cegep de Montmorency) chipped in with 20 points, Eve-Marie Houle (Chateau-Richer, Que./Cegep de Ste-Foy) tallied 13 and Marie Berrouette (Montreal, Que./Dawson College) recorded a double-double with 11 points and 11 rebounds.
 
Coach's Corner
"We have to focus on one game at a time," said Gaiters' head coach Craig Norman. "We will prepare as much as we can but have to focus on Thursday at McGill.
 
"Saturday was a big win for us and Metch (Gabelus) played out of this world," he added. "I think she is figuring it out.  We need her to play like that. We also know we did not play our best team game on Saturday. We have to play a full 40 minutes."
 
Thur., Nov. 15 @ McGill
McGill Martlets (1-1 RSEQ, 3-7 vs U SPORTS)
6 p.m.
Love Competition Hall
Webcast: https://portal.stretchinternet.com/mcgill/
Tickets: http://mcgillathletics.ticketmob.com/event.cfm?cart&showTimingID=170917
 
McGill opened the season with a thrilling 57-56 win over UQAM at home on Thursday night then lost 65-46 to Laval in Quebec City on Saturday.
 
"McGill has a ton of talent and are a very dangerous team," said Norman. "We will be tested especially playing them on the road.  They had two tough games so are battle ready.  I have a ton of respect for Coach Ryan Thorne and their veterans. I think they are a top-5 team in the country."
 
Sirah Diarra scored in double figures for McGill in both their games. She had 17 points against Laval and chalked up a double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds against UQAM
 
Sat. Nov. 17 vs Laval
No. 1 Laval Rouge et Or (2-0 RSEQ, 9-0 vs U SPORTS)
6 p.m.
Mitchell Gymnasium
Webcast: www.gaiters.ca/webcast
Tickets: www.gaiters.ca/tickets
 
Laval is the class of the country right now.  They opened the RSEQ season with a 66-61 victory over No.4 Concordia in Montreal and a 65-46 win at home against McGill.
 
"Laval is deep, athletic, talented and well coached," Norman added. "They are number one in the country for a reason and are built for a championship.  It will be tough as they have a full week to prepare for us but that is how the schedule goes. It will be a good measuring stick for us."
 
Sarah-Jane Marois scored 25 points in the opener against the Stingers and backed it up with 11 in the second game.  Three other Rouge et Or players scored in double figures in the second contest while 10 players played 10 minutes or more in that game.
 
Next Up
After the pair of games this weekend, the Gaiters play at Concordia on Saturday, Nov. 24.  Tip-off is set for 4 p.m.
 
Social Corner
Stay up-to-date anytime with the Bishop's Gaiters at www.gaiters.ca or on social media using @BishopsGaiters and #GaiterNation.
 
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