SUDBURY, Ont. (January 16, 2009) – Mitch Leger of Kingston, Ont., had 32 points and 12 rebounds in a losing effort as the Gaels fell to the Laurentian Voyageurs in a 79-74 heartbreak in Sudbury on Saturday evening. 

Dan Bannister of Newmarket, Ont., was the team's second leading scorer contributing 15 points and three steals. Baris Ondul of Istanbul, Turkey, continued to move the Gaels offensive and had seven assists on the night.

The Gaels and Voyageurs were evenly matched in a tightly contested first quarter with the lead going back and forth but it was the Gaels on top by two after one quarter. The Gaels struggled to gain offensive momentum in the second quarter as the Voyageurs began to establish a growing lead with a 10-0 run early in the quarter. By the end of the first half, the Gaels were down by seven points, 36-29.

Queen's fought to narrow their deficit in the third quarter as they began to break down the Voyageurs defence. Late in the third quarter Chris Barrett of Vancouver, B.C., tied the game when he drained a three pointer. 

The Gaels fought hard throughout the fourth quarter, but trailed by six in the dying seconds of the game. A comeback looked possible, however, when Ozren Opacic of Burlington, Ont., was fouled in a three-point attempt. Opacic made all three at the line, bringing the game within three points. Laurentian made two free throws to widen the gap to five and that was all the breathing room they would need as they held on for the win.

The Voyageurs leading scorer was first year guard Manny Pasquale of Victoria, B.C., with 24 points. Matas Tirilis of Mississauga, Ont., led Laurentian in rebounds bringing down 11 off the glass.

The loss ends a five-game winning for the Gaels and brings their record to 7-6 as they remain in third place in the OUA East Division.

The Gaels' next match-up is against the Carlton Ravens on January 22 in Ottawa. Queen's will see the Voyageurs again when they host their first game at the new Queen's Centre on January 29.