KINGSTON, Ont. (February 17, 2017)- Sukhpreet Singh tallied a game-high 21 points, and the Queen's Gaels men's basketball team picked up a crucial win in the playoff race in their final regular season match, topping the York Lions 70-60 at the Athletics and Recreation Centre (ARC) on Friday night.
 
Fifth-year seniors Singh and Richard Iheadindu were honoured before the beginning of Friday night's game for their contribution to the men's basketball program. Singh, who is the all-time points leader in Queen's men's basketball history, shot 9-of-13 from the field, and picked up eight rebounds and six assists, also a game-best. Isse Ibrahim added 12 points, while Tanner Graham added 10 points and nine rebounds for the Gaels who finish the season 7-12.
 
GAME FLOW
The Gaels jumped all over the Lions early, putting together a 9-3 lead through the first four minutes of the game. Graham (Kingston) set the tone with a steal and ensuing slam dunk after taking a pass in transition from Singh (Toronto). Ibrahim (Toronto) followed that up with a three-point play after a quick penetration to the bucket.
 
Nidun Chandrakumar knocked in two three-point baskets to help the Lions keep pace, and the Gaels offence suddenly went cold after their quick start. Chandrakumar's third three of the first quarter put the Lions ahead 11-9. Harry Range (Carp, Ont.) finally ended the Queen's shooting drought, which lasted a little over five minutes, by hitting a three, but the Lions held a one-point lead after the first.
 
Similar to the opening quarter, the Gaels were fast out of the gate in the second, putting together a 6-2 run that ended with a steal and nice transition passing play that was finished with a reverse lay-up from Ibrahim.
 
A corner three from Singh put the Gaels up by six. After York came to within three, the hosts caught fire, scoring the next 10 points to push their lead up to double-digits for the first time in the game. Singh and Russell Winters each accounted for two baskets along the way, which led to a timeout from the Lions. The men continued the play offensively, and as a result took a 41-27 lead into the halftime break.
 
Singh started the second half with a three-pointer and the Gaels looked strong at the beginning of the quarter for a third-straight time, building their lead up to 22. The Lions responded through the middle portion of the period, however, going on a 17-7 run to close out the third quarter that would cut the lead to 11 by the start of the fourth.
 
A quick Lions bucket brought the lead into single digits for the first time since the second quarter, and two-straight turnovers from the Gaels quickly prompted a timeout from head coach Steph Barrie.
 
The teams traded baskets after the break, with the hosts maintaining a nine-point lead with five minutes remaining in regulation. A three by Julio Vasquez cut the lead to eight, but Ibrahim responded with a lay-up from Singh, who then added two more points that put the game out of reach with a couple of minutes remaining.

FINAL SAY
"I thought certain guys did some really good things," said Barrie. "Our first half in terms of scoring was good; getting 40 in a half was needed. I think holding (York) to 60 definitely gave us a chance when our shooting wasn't as on as we would want it to be, our three-point shooting in particular. The teaching does not stop, though, we will continue our teaching to get the guys prepared for Wednesday's playoff game."
 
BY THE NUMBERS
49.2%- The Gaels shot 30-of-61 on Friday night, their third-highest efficiency in conference play
22- The Gaels largest lead of the match in the third quarter
25- Queen's picked up 25 points off of York's 21 turnovers
 
UP NEXT
The Gaels will wait for Saturday's games to complete before finding out their opponent for the first round of the OUA playoffs, which will take place on Wednesday.