LENNOXVILLE, Que. – The UQAM Citadins paced themselves to an early 10-0 lead and never trailed as they held off the Bishop's Gaiters by a final of 68-59 to claim their first-ever RSEQ University women's basketball championship on Saturday in Lennoxville.
 
It was heartbreak for Bishop's, the league's top team all year, and their 750 fans that packed Michell Gym.
 
UQAM was led by Paule-Beline Ibata-Pondza who tallied a double-double with 17 points and 13 rebounds while playing all 40 minutes. Fredlyne Verrier scored 20 and Fredlaine Verrier rounded out Citadins in double figures with 14 points.
 
Amaiquen Siciliano (Buenos Aires, Argentina/Velez Sarsfield) was Bishop's top scorer with 19 points while fellow Argentinian Victoria Gauna (Mendoza, Argentina) netted 17 in the loss.  The Gaiters were sparked off the bench by Sandra Mbekou (Longueuil, Que./Cegep Edouard-Montpetit), she scored 12 points on 5-8 shooting.
 
The Citadins controlled the paint. They outrebounded Bishop's 54-34 including 25 offensive boards. They also scored 34 of their 68 points inside and had 23 second-chance points.
 
The win means UQAM will be the RSEQ representative at the U SPORTS Final-8 in Sydney, Nova Scotia that starts on Thursday.
 
Bishop's season is likely over unless they earn the at-large bid into the event. That decision will be made on Sunday.
 
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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