LENNOXVILLE, Que., – Myriam Leclerc's 30 points led the No. 10-ranked Concordia Stingers to a 78-54 win over the Bishop's Gaiters in Quebec university women's basketball action at the Mitchell Gym, Saturday. The rookie guard from St-Roch-de-Richelieu, Que., went 11-for-24 from the field and added three from beyond the arc as she tied her career high point total.
 
The 30 from Leclerc overshadowed a career-high 22 points from Bishop's rookie point guard Amaiquen Siciliano (Buenos Aires, Argentina/Velez Sarsfield), who went 8-for-16 from the field and added four three-pointers for the Gaiters (4-17, 2-12 RSEQ)
 
With the win, Concordia clinches second place in the RSEQ, and home court advantage in the league semifinal. For the Gaiters, the loss leaves them tied on wins with the UQAM Citadins, and sets up a winner-take-all matchup on Saturday for the fourth and final playoff spot.
 
The first half was evenly played, with the teams trading the lead back and forth several times. The first half featured seven lead changes and three ties, as Bishop's led 18-15 after the first quarter and went into halftime tied at 33-33.
 
Bishop's continued to play even with their nationally-ranked visitors early in the third, but Leclerc caught fire midway through the period, scoring 12 of Concordia's 16 points as they turned a 40-37 deficit into a 53-42 lead. The Stingers led 62-45 after the third quarter, and extended their lead into the fourth period, as they wore the Gaiters down inside.
 
Concordia outscored Bishop's 40-12 in the paint, and took advantage of 23 Gaiter turnovers to score 27 points, while Bishop's was only able to convert the Stingers' 15 miscues into five points.
 
In addition to Siciliano's 22, Bishop's got big contributions from graduating seniors Ashley Milhomme (Repentigny, Que./Cegep de Montmorency), who scored 12 points and Maude Archambault (St-Augustine-de-Desmaures, Que./Cegep de Montmorency), who added 10, in their final games at Mitchell Gym. Marie Berrouette (Montreal, Que./Dawson College) led the Gaiters on the glass with 11 rebounds, while Metchline Gabelus (Montreal, Que./Champlain College St-Lambert) pulled down 10 boards.
 
For Concordia, in addition to Leclerc's 30, Caroline Task scored 20 points, while Coralie Dumont had a double-double with 10 points and 14 rebounds. Lodanna Lamonth also grabbed 14 boards for the Stingers.
 
Concordia closes out the regular season on Thursday in Quebec City, as they play Laval, who have already clinched the league regular-season pennant.
 
The Gaiters close out the regular season on Saturday in Montreal, as they play the UQAM Citadins in a virtual playoff game. Tip off at the UQAM Centre Sportif is set for 6 p.m.