KINGSTON, Ont. (January 26, 2018) The ARC gym played host to a special #BellLetsTalk matchup on Friday night that saw the Queen's Gaels (9-8) battle, but ultimately fall 89-69 the No. 7 nationally ranked Laurentian Voyageurs (14-2).
 
With Bell Let's Talk Day around the corner, the Queen's Gaels women's and men's basketball team hosted a #BellLetsTalk game day in support of mental health awareness. Gaels fan and varsity teams sported blue Bell Let's Talk toques to show their support for the initiative. The game also featured more toque giveaways and peer health groups from the student wellness services who provided information about mental health resources available on campus.

Bell Let's Talk Day is on Wednesday, January 31, here is how you can donate:
- Text and talk: Every text message, mobile and long distance call made by Bell Canada, Bell Aliant
and, new this year, Bell MTS customers in Manitoba
- Twitter: Every tweet using #BellLetsTalk and Bell Let's Talk Day video view
- Facebook: Every view of the Bell Let's Talk Day video and use of the Bell Let's Talk frame
- Instagram: Every Bell Let's Talk Day video view
- Snapchat: Every use of the Bell Let's Talk geofilter and video view
 
GAME FLOW
Laurentian came out strong, putting up five points before Jaz Bains (Brampton, Ont.) drew an offensive charge that led to a Mike Shoveller (Arnprior, Ont.) bucket. The Voyageurs continued to move the ball and utilize Nelson Yengue in the paint who recorded eleven points in the first frame. Coming down the court, Vincent Wood knocked back-to-back threes to put the Gaels within five. With the clock counting down, Laurentian responded with their own three to pad their lead 23-15 entering the second quarter.
 
Queen's opened the second with great ball movement from Tanner Graham (Kingston, Ont.) who found brother Jesse Graham down low for two. A series of buckets from Bains, Quinton Gray (Richmond Hill) and Connor Keefe (Halifax, N.S.) put the Tricolour within two points. Coming down the other way, Laurentian responded with another three to edge Queen's. It would be a bank three off the hands of Gray that would level the score for the first time in the game. A back-and-forth affair, the score would be tied again at 30-30 minutes later. Both sides were battling hard, the Gaels trailed by just a basket at 38-36 entering halftime.
 
Some magic from Bains with a pull-up jumper, the Gaels took a 1-point lead. A Queen's foul sent Kadre Gray, the former U SPORTS Rookie of the Year, to the line to regain the lead. During a closely contested affair, more Gaels fouls sent Laurentian – the best free throw team in the conference – to the line. Making no mistake, the Voyageurs capitalized to pad their lead 54-48. Not backing down, Elcock knocked down a clutch three to get within five. Back the other way; Shoveller came up big for the Gaels with a block on OUA scoring leader Gray. Going into the final frame, the Voyageurs held the Gaels at bay with a 58-52 score.
 
The Voyageurs seemed to find a rhythm on offence coming into the fourth, getting up by their biggest lead of the night with a 17-point margin. A solid defensive effort from Tanner Graham blocked a Laurentian layup. Despite a hard-fought battle, the nationally ranked Voyageurs were able to run away with the game and take an 89-69 victory.
 
BY THE NUMBERS
18 – Points for Jaz Bains
10 – Blocks from Tanner Graham
20 – Points for Laurentian's Kadre Gray
3 – The score was level three times during the game
 
UP NEXT
The Tricolour are back in action tomorrow night when they host the Nipissing Lakers (6-9). Tip-off for Saturday's game is set for 8 pm.
 
Queen's student tickets are FREE! Just bring your student card and swipe at the door – it's that easy.

To purchase tickets, head to www.gogaelsgo.com/tickets or catch the action live from any computer or mobile device at OUA.tv.