KINGSTON, Ont. (Jan. 13, 2024) - Queen's Men's Basketball defeats York Saturday night at the ARC, with a final score of 81-55. 

The first half unfolded as Queen's executed incredible plays, creating an electric atmosphere at the ARC. In a post-game interview, Head Coach Steph Barrie would state that defense was a big focus for the team in practice, which was clearly demonstrated on the court. 

The battle between both teams was fierce, with Luka Syllas standing out with an impressive 11 points in this half. Syllas would go on to record 16 points and 8 rebounds in the game. As the clock ticked down, Queen's secured a comfortable lead, heading into halftime with a score of 46-28. 

The second half kicked off with an electrifying moment as Cole Syllas and Aaron Tennant showcased impeccable teamwork, culminating in a basket by Tennant. Queen's continued their dominance, closing the third quarter with an impressive 22-point lead. As the game reached the fourth quarter, Cole Syllas achieved a remarkable milestone, scoring his 1000th career point. Fans rose to their feet to celebrate this achievement and the Gaels went on to defeat the Lions 81-55. 

Along with the Syllas brothers, Malcolm Bailey scored in the double digits registering 12 points in the game. Head Coach Steph Barrie acknowledged Bailey's resilience, highlighting his exceptional performance despite facing numerous injuries throughout the season. "Malcolm being out on the court tonight was a great joy to watch. The team was really happy," Coach Barrie expressed.

The statistics underscore Queen's dominant presence near the basket, amassing an impressive 40 points in the paint, while York recorded only 16 points.

With the win, the Gaels' record improves to 10-3. The men are on the road for their next game Jan. 19 at 8:00 PM to play TMU Bold in Toronto, ONT.