LENNOXVILLE, Que. – For the fifth time in their last six games the Bishop's Gaiters lost an RSEQ University Men's basketball game by 10 points or less.  On Saturday they fell 66-58 to the McGill Redmen in Lennoxville. It was the annual Bell Let's Talk game. 
 
In another back-and-forth affair that featured 12 lead changes and five ties, Bishop's led 19-15 after one quarter while McGill was up 29-27 at halftime and 41-40 after three stanzas.
 
The Redmen's Anthony Fisiru led all scorers with 22 points. Levi Londole added 13 and Noah Daoust 11 points to round out the visitors in double figures. Avery Cadogan grabbed 12 rebounds.
 
For Bishop's Nervens Demosthene (Terrebonne, Que./Cegep de Montmorency) led the way with 13 points. Abdul Kamane (Montreal, Que./Vanier College) and Yasin Naji each chipped in with 10. Zion Vervroegen-Thomas (Manhattan, NY./College Jean de Brebeuf) made his return to the line-up at home after suffering a gruesome injury in Mitchell Gym in November.  He scored six points in 12 minutes.
 
The Gaiters took the lead 50-49 with 7:14 remaining but the Redmen answered on the ensuing possession, the start of a 7-0 run and they never looked back.
 
It was a bit of a sloppy game as the teams combined for 37 turnovers and had 19 missed free throws.
 
The Gaiters shot just 30.6 percent from the floor (22-72) while McGill fired at 41 percent (25-61).
 
 "I think we missed some shots, especially in the second quarter," said Gaiters' head coach Rod Gilpin. "In the second we were 2-17 from the floor and 0-9 from two and none of them were mid-range shots. They are shots we are going to make 80-90 percent of the time, we just missed. In the second half we had some good looks we just didn't knock anything down. Ironically we've shot the ball better on the road than we have at home which usually isn't the case."
 
The loss, Bishop's, ninth consecutive, drops them to 3-9 on the season (7-12 overall) while McGill improves to 5-4 in RSEQ play and 10-6 overall vs. U SPORTS competition.
 
Next Up
Next up the Gaiters will enjoy a bye week before heading to Quebec City on Feb. 8 to face the Laval Rouge et Or (4-5) in the front end of a crucial home-and-home. They tip-off in Mitchell Gym on Saturday, Feb. 9 at 8 p.m.
 
Social Corner
Stay up-to-date with everything Bishop's Gaiters at www.gaiters.ca or on social media:
Twitter: @BishopsGaiters
Instagram: @BishopsGaiters
Facebook: Bishops Gaiters
 
Bell Lets Talk
For the third straight year the Bishop's Gaiters athletic department is working together to help promote and support the #BellLetsTalk cause. Helping various mental health initiatives around Canada. #BellLetsTalk Day is Wednesday, Jan. 30.  Complete details are available here.
 
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