KINGSTON, Ont. (January 30, 2009) – Mitch Leger of Kingston, Ont., had another huge night with a double-double of 26 points and 16 rebounds as the Gaels came back from an early deficit and defeated the York Lions 71-62 in the new Athletics & Recreation Centre Saturday night. 

Leger had a weekend total of 50 points and 33 rebounds in his two opening games in the new Athletics & Recreation Centre where the Gaels' basketball teams remain undefeated.

Leger had a game high 26 points as he had his thirteenth double-double of the 2009-2010 season and averages 22.2 points and 12.3 point per game. Dan Bannister of Newmarket, Ont., also contributed 11 points in the win. Baris Ondul of Istanbul, Turkey and Timothy Boyle of Belleville, Ont., led the team in rebounds with four apiece.

The Gaels struggled coming out of the gate falling by a 10 point deficit in the opening minutes of the game. Boyle scored the Gaels' first point of the game three minutes into the first quarter on a layup. With a drive led by Leger, the Gaels' cut the Lions' lead to five points by the end of the first quarter.

The Gaels continued to cut down York's lead in the second quarter with strong offensive play from Leger and Ondul. At the end of the first half, Leger had already accumulated 17 points and eight rebounds on his way to a strong double-double. The Gaels trailed by two, 33-31, at the end of the first half.

The third quarter saw the lead go back and forth between the two teams as both teams attempted to keep the lead. Bernard Burgesson of Port Hawkesbury, N.S., tied the game up in the final minutes of the quarter with a layup ending the quarter with a score of 48-48.

The final quarter saw the Gaels take complete control of the game, with Bannister leading the charge with nine points in the final quarter alone. Chris Barrett of Vancouver, B.C., and Ryan Hairsine of St. Mary's, Ont., had two key consecutive three pointers to ensure that the Gaels' gained a significant lead. This Gaels outscored the Lions 23-14 to let them coast to a win with a score of 71-62.

The Marco W. Alessio Memorial Game is named in memory of Marco William Alessio, a former Gaels basketball player from 1987 to 1989. Mark became a teacher following his time at Queen's and he travelled the world, teaching in locations such as Hong Kong, Mexico, Spain and Madagascar. It was in Madagascar that Mark lost his life on February 23, 2009 at the age of 43 during a time of political upheaval in the African nation.

To honour Mark and to recognize how important Queen's and the basketball team were to him, a scholarship has been established in his memory. The scholarship will be granted annually to a member of the team based on athletic and academic excellence. Former Gaels' basketball player Tom Cavanagh opened the game with a few words in memory of Marco Alessio and presented this year's award to Gaels' guard Dan Bannister.

The win improves the Gaels record to 9-8 placing them third in the OUA East Division. The Gaels played the Lions earlier this season and defeated the Lions 81-73.

The Gaels next game is on February 5 against the Ryerson Rams in Toronto.