Gaiters Basketball Tipoff year with wins over UQAM

Men’s and Women’s teams earn wins at home together for first time since 2012

Mitchell Gymnasium at Bishop’s University was the place to be on Saturday night as the Gaiters men’s and women’s basketball teams took to the court for the opening of their RSEQ seasons against the UQAM Citadins.

The Women’s team got the night started cruising to a 78-61 victory. Led by fifth-year senior Edith Noblecilla’s 19point night the lady Gaiters had the game in control right from tip-off storming to 17-7 lead after the first quarter’s completion. Noblecilla had 10 of her 19 points on the night come in the first quarter.

A strong second quarter from UQAM saw the game tighten up with Bishop’s holding a 31-29 lead at halftime. However, the second half was dominated by the Gaiters who had consecutive periods with at least 20 points, 20 in the third and 27 in the fourth, while holding the Citadins to just 16 points in each of the final two quarters to earn their victory.

Using the momentum from the first victory, the men’s squad dominated their opponents storming out to the tune of a 19-point lead with 2:25 remaining in the first half. With a firm lead the Citadins were forced to chip away at the Gatiers’ lead the whole evening.

Although UQAM did outscore the Gaiters in each of the final two quarters it wasn’t enough to overcome the lead that the Gaiters built up earlier in the match. Ultimately, the Gaiters held on for an 83-77 victory to kickoff the year.

Early in the game, the Gaiters lost Fifth-year senior David Belanger after he was cut open on his elbow and forced out of the game to tape up the bloodied injury. Belanger eventually returned to the game and had nine points in 26 minutes of playing time.

The Gaiters were led by Abdul Kamane in scoring with 24-points on the evening, while facing double-teams from the Citadins defence. The double teams opened extra space for Joany Castorthadal who scored 22-points, going 4-of8 on 3-point attempts.

"It was good to get a win," said Gaiters head coach Rod Gilpin after the game. "I think we've played some pretty good minutes of basketball at points this preseason. I think defensively we were pretty good tonight. Everybody who stepped on the floor contributed, so that was a big thing."

Next up the Gaiters will travel to Concordia to play the Stingers on Thursday night this week.