LENNOXVILLE, Que. – A pair of Marie-Pier Champaign free throws with 2:44 remaining in the fourth quarter to give the visiting Laval Rouge et Or their first lead of the game. They would never trail again and handed the Bishop's Gaiters a heartbreaking 80-78 loss in the RSEQ Semifinal in Mitchell Gym.
 
Bishop's got off to a sizzling start, leading by as many as 14 points in the opening quarter.  Laval held tough and cut the lead to 22-17 through 10 minutes.  The visitors continued to chip away and trailed 42-40 at the break.
 
Freshly minted two-time RSEQ Player of the Year Amaiquen Siciliano (Buenos Aires, Argentina/Velez Sarsfield) took over for the Gaiters in the third stanza.  She scored 17 of the Gaiters 20 points in the quarter to give Bishop's a 62-59 lead.
 
Every time the Gaiters looked like they were poised to make a run and send the 417 Mitchell Gym faithful into a frenzy, the Rouge et Or answered and kept within striking distance. 
 
Laval turned the ball over 16 times that resulted in 23 points, while Bishop's had just eight turnovers giving Laval seven points. The Gaiters also led 11-2 in second chance points but could not get the stop on the defensive end when they needed it.
 
Laval continued to chip away in the fourth quarter and were finally able to grab the lead on the Champaign free throws with 2:44 left.  Bishop's tied on the ensuing possession but were never regained the lead and Laval took advantage of being in bonus to close out the game.  
 
Rookie Sabrine Khelifi led the way for Laval, she scored 22 points including a 9-12 performance from the free throw line. Lea Dominique added 13 and Elodie Lajoie 11 in the Laval win. Champaign finished with eight points.
 
They move onto attempt to win their third consecutive RSEQ Championship on Saturday when they host UQAM. The Citadins upset Concordia in Montreal on Wednesday night.  
 
Siciliano finished with 33 points and played all 40 minutes for the Bishop's Gaiters in the loss. Jael Kabunda (Montreal, Que./College Montmorency) scored 22 and added nine rebounds before fouling out in the fourth quarter. Jennifer Louis (Montreal, Que./Cegep Edouard-Montpetit) rounded out the Gaiters in double figures with 10.
 
The Gaiters season ends with the loss.
 
Prior to the game the major award winners and all-stars were honoured.


Stay up to date anytime with the Bishop's Gaiters at www.gaiters.ca or on social media by using @BishopsGaiters.
 
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