MONTREAL – Led by rookie sensation Jael Kabunda's (Montreal, Que./College Montmorency) 21 points, the Bishop's Gaiters women's basketball team survived a double OT thriller, knocking off the McGill Martlets by a score of 77-69 and punch their tickets to the RSEQ playoffs.
 
How it Happened
The game got off to a bit of a slow start with neither team really able to find any sort of rhythm. After the first quarter McGill took a 12-9 lead after a late three-pointer which gave them some momentum. The Gaiters responded with a 7-0 run to start the second quarter and take a four-point lead. McGill would respond with a run of their own and took a 27-24 lead at halftime. The Martlets seemed to take control of the game leading by as much as nine points midway through the third quarter. Bishop's then found another gear and came storming back to take a 42-40 lead heading into the fourth quarter. The Gaiters continued to roll and pushed the lead out to eight points midway through the frame. The Martlets would not go away. They fought their back into the game and then Delphine Robitaille banked in a buzzer beater three to tie the game up at 56 and send it into overtime. The overtime period was a very back and forth quarter of basketball. Down by three with just under two minutes to go Amaiquen Siciliano (Buenos Aires, Argentina/Velez Sarsfield) hit a three pointer to tie the game at 63 and ultimately force a second overtime. Bishop's would take control in the second overtime opening up with a 9-0 run to start the period. The Martlets would keep it interesting with some late three pointers but the Gaiters would ultimately hang on to win it by a final score of 77-69.
 
RSEQ leading scorer Siciliano finished with 19 points including the clutch three-pointer late in the first overtime.  Metchline Gabelus (Montreal, Que./Champlain College St-Lambert) scored 15 and Deborah Aboagye (Montreal, Que.) added 10 off the bench.  Kabunda completed a double-double as she added 13 rebounds to go with her 21 points.
 
With the win, Bishop's improves to 8-4 on the season which puts them in a tie for first place with the Laval Rouge et Or (8-4).
 
Next Up
It's a quick turnaround for the Gaiters as they will host the McGill Martlets on Saturday night in Mitchell Gym in the Gaiters Shoot for the Cure game. Opening tip is set for 6 p.m.