OTTAWA (February 27, 2010) – Playing in what could be his final game in a Queen's Gaels uniform, Mitch Leger of Kingston, Ont., poured in 23-points in a 77-61 loss to the Ottawa Gee Gees. The defeat ended Queen's season and sent Ottawa to the OUA semifinals.

Leger also had a game-high 10 rebounds recording his 17th double-double of the season. Fifth-year players Ryan Harisine of St. Mary's Ont., and Baris Ondul of Istanbul, Turkey tallied 14 points and six points respectively in their final CIS game.

Leger is currently the Gaels all-time regular season leading scorer with 1,337 points placing him in 21st on the OUA's all-time list. The fourth-year sociology major graduates this spring and has hinted in recent weeks he may not return for his fifth-year of eligibility.

“All three of our graduating players have poured their heart and soul into this program since they arrived,” said Queen's assistant coach Duncan Cowan following the game. “I know we still have a lot to accomplish, but these guys have changed our program. Mitch in particular has brought a strong work ethic and winning attitude to our team which was missing in the past.”

“We'd be thrilled if he (Leger) comes back,” continued Cowan. “…but, If this was his last game, he leaves as one of the best players in the country and easily one of the top players in our program's history.”

Josh Gibson-Bascombe of Toronto was the Gee Gee's top player scoring a game-high 25 points in the win. Warren Ward of London, Ont. also dropped 20 points for Ottawa.

With Ottawa holding a 10 point 38-28 lead opening the first quarter, they rattled off 21 additional points while allowing just 14 to put the game at 59-42. Led by Leger, the Gaels posted 19 points and refused to quit even with the game out of reach. Ottawa countered with 18 in the final frame to finish the scoring at 77-61.

The Gaels finished the regular season with an 11-11 record, good for fourth place in the east. In the first round of the playoffs, Queen's edged the Ryerson Ram 79-76 in overtime.

NOTES: Tim Boyle of Belleville, Ont., did not dress in tonight's game after suffering a season-ending knee injury in the fourth quarter of the opening round playoff game against Ryerson on Wednesday. Leger finished as the country's top rebounder averaging 11.9 per game and was fifth in the nation in points per game at 21.4