(02/11/24) - Kingston, ON., The Queen's Men's Basketball team are victorious on their home court of the ARC on Saturday evening as they comeback after trailing against the Western Mustangs (1-2) for the majority of the game leading up to the latter half of the third quarter.  The 86-77 win bumps up the Gaels regular season record to 2-1. 

The game opened with the Mustangs charting the first points, seeing the score 3-0 until four minutes later, no. 6 Kai Dalen (Arts) scores a layup, making the score 5-2 for Western.  The Gaels struggled to find a lead over the Mustangs although kept the score close by at most a few possessions, not far from their reach.  The first quarter saw 18 points by the Mustangs and 17 by the Gaels, proving the Gaels could go point for point with the Mustangs - never cutting themselves out of the competition.  

The second quarter began with a layup by the Mustangs that is quickly answered by Gaels no. 15 Isaac Krueger (Arts), who proved to be an extremely valuable asset to the Gaels later in the game.  The second quarter sang similar to the first, as the Gaels struggled to find a chance to take the lead away from the Mustangs but stayed on their coat-tails.  In the last minute of play before half-time, the Gaels trailed by six points, 30-36, though winning a foul against the Mustangs gives them one more on the scoreboard chasing after the Mustangs lead. After a timeout called by the Gaels at the 37 second mark, a successful play straight off the bench by no. 8 Ollie Engen (Kinesiology) gains the Gaels a score of 33-36, only 3 points behind the Mustangs going into the second half of the game.  Engen with nine and Krueger with seven lead the Gaels in scoring going into the third quarter. 

After halftime, the match for the Gaels went sour before it went sweet.  The Gaels's close trail behind the Mustangs began to diminish, allowing an eight point deficit after opening the quarter with a tying three-pointer by no. 12 Tyson Lama (Commerce).  The Mustangs progressed their lead over the Gaels to 50-42.  From this point onward until the end of the game, the Gaels found a rhythm the Mustangs could not shake off.  With two free-throws sunk by Krueger, followed by back-to-back three-pointers quickly after, Krueger dialed in to change the pace of the game for the Gaels.  Krueger, who was absent from last nights duel against the Windsor Lancer's, proved to be the difference for the Gaels this evening, finishing the game with 30 points.  

Forcing the Mustangs to take their fourth time-out of the quarter, the Gaels close in on their opponents and noticeably gain a confident momentum on the court.  After a layup by no. 14 Ashton Bain (Arts), the Gaels steal the lead from the Mustangs for the first time since the first quarter 13 points in.  The Gaels are unanswered with three minutes left in the quarter, though the court shifts quickly once again after a dunk by the Mustangs takes back their lead, 55-54.  No. 7 Aj Cummings (Arts) steps up with an electric three-pointer to tie the game 57-57 with 30 seconds left before the fourth.  A free throw for the Mustangs allows them to reclaim the lead one point above the Gaels, and the game pauses momentarily at 58-57.  

The Gael's take the lead once again with a layup by Cummings, then another by no. 10 Lucas Ponting (Commerce), making the score a tight 61-60.  Krueger sees two chances at free-throws at the net and sinks all four.  The game now sits at a single possession lead for the Gaels, 65-62.  Quickly tying the game with a jump shot, the Mustangs lead once more, although no. 23 Jalen Sikkema (Media) ties it back with a much needed three-pointer for the Gaels.  In a momentous run, Sikkema scores yet another three-pointer, taking the lead for the Gaels to 71-68.  Engen forces a five point lead with a layup, which is followed by a basket from the arch by Krueger at the half-way mark of the final quarter.  A jump shot by Sikkema and two layup by Jenkins sees the ARC roaring in excitement for the Gaels as they now lead by 11 points, 82-71.  

With a major comeback by the Gaels, Western's lead over the Gaels in the first and second quarters are almost forgotten.  The Gaels finish off the evening with two free-throw shots sunk by Krueger, making the score a 10 point lead of 86-76.  The game ends in a glorious and well-battled 86-77 victory for the Gaels after one last free-throw by the Mustangs.  

Catch the Gaels Men's Basketball team in action next on November 8th, at 8:00 PM, against the Algoma Thunderbirds on OUA.TV.