Gaiters come second in RSEQ championships
Saturday was a day of endings and new beginnings for the Bishop’s Gaiters. The men’s rugby team faced the Concordia Stingers in the RSEQ championships on Nov. 10 and fell 22-20. Taking Concordia by surprise with their roaring fans and great energy was just not enough. The men’s and women’s basketball team stayed in Lennoxville and hosted the UQAM Citadins in Mitchell Gym for their RSEQ home openers. Both Gaiters teams started off the official season with a win.
About 70 Bishop’s fans made the trip to Montreal to cheer on the men’s rugby team in their first championship game since 2009. The Gaiters surprised the Stingers, with an incredibly tight game, opening the scoring in the first half as Robert Mcgovern scored a try after a missed penalty kick by Tyler Murphy, who led the game with 10 points. Concordia replied 10 minutes later by tying the game 7-7, and then taking a 12-7 lead with another try. Patrick Lawton scored the second Gaiters try in the 30th minute, giving Bishop’s a 14-12 lead coming into the second half. Murphy booted a penalty in the 50th minute and extended the Gaiters lead 17-12. 10 minutes later, the Stingers scored a try and made a successful conversion, leading 19-17. The Gaiters went for a penalty kick from the 45th yard line as the clock ticked down and Murphy succeeded. The 20-19 lead was not enough, as Concordia converted minutes later and held off the Gaiters for a final score of 22-20 to become the RSEQ champions.
The women’s basketball team hosted the UQAM Citadins on Saturday for their RSEQ home opener. They opened with a 69-65 win with a career-high 13 points from Eve-marie Houle. Metchline Gabelus led the Gaiters with 21 points, 12 rebounds, and five assists, followed closely by Maude Archambault with 20 points of her own. The Citadins were never able to take the lead. The Gaiters will face the Mcgill Martlets next on Thursday, Nov. 15 in Montreal.
Minutes later, the men’s basketball team hosted the Citadins as well, winning 78-75 with 19 points and 13 rebounds by fifth year Kevin Davis. It was a close game, with seven ties and eight lead changes. Abdul Kamane also led the Gaiters with 17 points and 8 rebounds. Bishop’s will be back in action on Thursday, Nov. 15 as they visit the Mcgill Redmen in Montreal, and back home on Saturday Nov. 17 as the face Laval at Mitchell Gym at 8 p.m.