LENNOXVILLE, Que. - After a cancelled 2020-21 season, the Gaiters were more than ready to get out on the court and compete in an RSEQ competition. The Gaiters women's basketball team earned a 67-61 victory over a tough Laval Rouge et Or squad in the team's 2021-22 home opener on Thursday night in Mitchell Gymnasium.
After a slow first quarter, the Gaiters found their rhythm and led by two at the half. Laval outscored Bishop's in the third quarter and led by four headed into the final frame. The Gaiters executed on the offense and defense in the closing 10 minutes, scoring 21 points to take the first game of the season. The game was a back and forth contest with nine lead changes throughout the 40 minutes of play. The Gaiters doubled up on the Rouge et Or in the paint and also recorded fourteen points off turnovers and twelve off of second chance points.
Amaiquen Siciliano (Buenos Aires, Argentina/Velez Sarsfield) and
Jael Kabunda (Montreal, Que./College Montmorency) led the way for the Gaiters with a combined 45 points in the RSEQ season opener. Kabunda
recorded the only double double of the game, pulling in 16 rebounds to add to her 19 points and solidified herself as a force on the court.
Victoria Gauna (Mendoza, Argentina/),
Jennifer Louis (Montreal, Que./Cegep Edouard-Montpetit) and
Deborah Aboagye (Montreal, Que./Vanier College) added another sixteen points.
When asked about the game, Associate Coach, Jennifer Mathurin, reflected on the anxiety built up before the game and acknowledged that the team got off to a slow start but was very proud of how the team responded and fought. "The girls were very nervous.You could tell they just couldn't handle the emotion, the anxiety and the stress. But we found our groove - started running the plays, playing our strengths and then we fought," said Mathurin.
The Gaiters' return to the court drew attention with a near-capacity purple crowd in attendance. "The crowd was insane and it really helped us - when you have the crowd screaming and everything, it makes a difference," said Kabunda. The junior would like to see the crowds continue at the Gaiters' upcoming home contests.
Next Up
The Gaiters will head to Montreal for the first road trips of the season on Thursday November 18th at Concordia and Saturday November 20th at McGill. Tip-offs are set for 6PM and 4PM, respectively.
Stay tuned to www.gaiters.ca and #GaiterNation or @BishopsGaiters on social media to follow the Gaiters.
