SUDBURY, Ont. (January 6, 2018) - The Queen's Gaels (8-4), fell just short in overtime in their second game of 2018 losing to the No. 7 Laurentian Voyageurs (10-1) 71-70.

GAME FLOW
The Gaels struggled to score early, as the Voyageurs scored seven unanswered points to open the game. Quinton Gray (Richmond Hill, Ont.) gave Queen's their first points of the game off a jump shot as the offence got in gear. The Gaels trailed for the majority of the 1st quarter, but it would be Jaz Bains (Brampton, Ont.) who would tie it up with a 3-pointer. Tanner Graham (Kingston, Ont.) gave the Gaels the lead with a second chance basket down-low, and they took a 15-14 lead into the second quarter. 

Both teams struggled to find the basket, early in the second. The Voyageurs managed to sneak away with the lead thanks to strong passing. Laurentian, were looking like they were beginning to run away with it, but Mat Elcock (Waterdown, Ont.) nailed a key 3-pointer. Tanner Graham helped to keep the Gaels in the game with a triple of his own followed by another quick basket. Despite their effort, the Gaels ended the 1st half trailing, 35-30.

Bains opened the 2nd half with a layup, but the Voyageurs were able to quickly respond. The Voyageurs were better on the boards and were able to move the basketball, leading to consistent scoring. Bains found Gray for a 3-pointer, but Laurentian quickly answered. Bains would take the game into his own hands, scoring seven points in the 3rd quarter, and recording a steal. Jesse Graham (Kingston, Ont.) also scored four late quarter points to keep the game close. The Gaels still trailed at the end of the 3rd quarter, 52-48.

In the fourth Mike Shoveller (Arnprior, Ont.), got a huge block to put some energy into the Gaels and led to a Bains layup. This run was able to frustrate the Voyageurs, and the Gaels capitalized. Tanner Graham tied the game up, with a 3-pointer with three minutes remaining. A Laurentian triple sent the game into overtime, with a score of 63-63.

A steal and transition layup by Jaz Bains opened the extra frame. Laurentian quickly answered, and knocked down a 3-pointer. Graham knocked down a pair of free-throws, to give the Gaels a 1-point lead, with a minute left. It looked like the Gaels would be safe, as Bains knocked down a free-throw make it a 2-point lead, but a heart-breaking last second 3-pointer would ultimately seal the game 71-70 for Laurentian.

BY THE NUMBERS
29- Bains led the team in scoring with 29 points, his second night in a row with 29 points. 
18- Tanner Graham dominated the boards, with 18 rebounds. 
11- The Voyageurs were passing much better than the Gaels, with 11 more assists. 

UP NEXT
The Gaels are back at home against the Carleton Ravens, on January 12 at 8 pm at the Queen's ARC. For tickets head to gogaelsgo.com/tickets.