SHERBROOKE, Que. – Laval scored early and often and never looked back as they rolled to an 89-67 win over the Bishop's Gaiters in RSEQ University men's basketball action on Thursday night in Lennoxville.
 
The first quarter was all Rouge et Or as they outscored the Gaiters 25-13.  That was thanks in part to 15 Laval rebounds, including five at the offensive end while Bishop's managed just six. The visitors also connected three times from long range while the Gaiters were 0-5 from behind the arc.
 
Laval extended their lead to 45-30 at the break.
 
A quick start to the third from Laval forced an early Bishop's timeout. In the end, all it did was slow down the Rouge et Or who also won the third quarter 28-20 for a 73-50 advantage heading to the fourth. The game ended with Laval on top 89-67, their third victory in four attempts over the Gaiters this season.
 
Leading the way for Bishop's was Abdul Kamane (Montreal, Que./Vanier College), the RSEQ's leading scorer.  He tallied 16 points, grabbed five rebounds, added two steals and an assist. Jordan Thornhill (St-Lazare, Que.) came off the bench to score 15 and grab seven rebounds.
 
Yann Folquet and Joel Muamba each had 23 for the Rouge et Or.
 
"I think we expected to play better and I think that we didn't show up quite ready," said Gaiters' head coach Rod Gilpin. "We have to take this opportunity to learn a lesson and just get better from there.  Laval was very good, full credit to them."
 
Thursday's contest was the make-up game that was originally scheduled for Feb. 10 then changed to Feb. 13 before finally being played Thursday night. Next up the Gaiters head to McGill on Saturday to face the No. 6 Redmen at 6 p.m. in Montreal.
 
It will be the fourth and final time Bishop's plays McGill in the regular season.  McGill won the lone meeting before Christmas. The Gaiters stunned the Redmen 86-81 in Mitchell Gym on Jan. 26 while McGill answered back with a convincing victory the ensuing day in Montreal.
 
"It's an opportunity to get better," Gilpin added about Saturday's contest. "We aren't as rested as they are, we will make sure we play a lot of guys and compete."
 
McGill has wrapped up first place in the RSEQ with three games remaining.  They will have home court advantage throughout the playoffs. Thursday night's loss sealed the Gaiters fate as the number four seed.  They will face McGill in the first round of the playoffs, slated for Wed. Feb. 28 in Montreal.
 
Stay up-to-date with everything Bishop's Gaiters at www.gaiters.ca or on social media using @BishopsGaiters or #GaiterNation.
 
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