On the heels of a 3-game win streak, the Gaiters took to the road for a battle with the Laval Rouge et Or. With the first seed in the RSEQ still up in the air, this game had major playoff implications heading into the final two regular season games for the league. Both teams played free in the first quarter, and the Gaiters held a 20-15 lead after 1. The game did not get much closer following the first quarter, and an injury to freshman standout forward Etienne Gagnon (/Cegep de Sherbrooke) made it tough for the Gaiters on both ends. Bishop's held a 41-35 lead at the half, and went up by as much as 18 in the third quarter. A huge run from Laval tied the game in the late stages of the 4th quarter. Freshman point guard Zachary John (Scarborough/) hit a game-tying three-point shot to tie the game with 20 seconds to go, and the teams headed to an extra period. The Gaiters gutted it out and won a huge game, 84-81.
For Bishop's...
… Zachary John (Scarborough/) has come into his own, putting up 18 points and adding 3 rebounds
… The other freshman guard, Tiernan McDougall (/Champlain-Lennoxville), has found his groove as of late. He chipped in with 15 points and 5 rebounds
… Ambs Mathe (/Cegep Montmorency) stepped up in the absence of the team's bigs and score 13 points while grabbing 8 rebounds
… Bishop's had 15 second-chance points
For Laval...
… Sidney Tremblay-Lacombe led the way with 21 points
… Steeve Joseph and Saydou Sall each added 16 points
RSEQ Standings
A first-place finish is not out of the question for the Bishop's Gaiters. The win tonight gives them the head-to-head advantage over Laval. A win next week would create a momentary tie with UQAM in which the Gaiters would hold the head-to-head. The Gaiters would need either a McGill win over UQAM or a Concordia win over Laval for a home playoff game.
Next Up
It's senior night at Mitchell Gymnasium for both teams next Thursday, Feb. 23rd. The Gaiters will host the UQAM Citadins in the last game of the regular season. Tip-off for the men's game is set for 8pm.
Social Corner
Get behind-the-scenes access to the Gaiters men's basketball team by following them on Instagram @GaitersMBB. Stay up to date with all things Bishop's Gaiters by following @BishopsGaiters on social media or at www.gaiters.ca.
