KINGSTON (Nov. 22, 2024) — Luka Syllas hit 1,000 career points as the Queen's Gaels Men's Basketball team extended their winning streak to five games with a thrilling 80-76 victory over the University of Toronto Varsity Blues at the ARC on Friday evening. With the hard-fought win, the Gaels improved their record to an impressive 6-1, demonstrating both resilience and determination in what proved to be a tightly contested and highly entertaining matchup.
Syllas (Concurrent Education) hit the impressive milestone in his fifth year with Queen's Men's Basketball. The U SPORTS First Team All-Canadian and Defensive Player of the Year is now eighth on Queen's Men's Basketball's all-time scoring list with 1,006 points.
The game highlighted Queen's ability to adapt under pressure and showcased the team's growing chemistry as they battled through multiple lead changes and a tough Varsity Blues defense. From the opening tip to the final buzzer, the Gaels delivered a performance that left fans on the edge of their seats, setting the tone for what could be a pivotal stretch in their season.
The game opened with Queen's employing a full-court press, immediately creating turnovers and converting them into fast-break points. Despite the strong defensive start, Toronto managed to pull ahead 20-18 by the end of the first quarter, capitalizing on missed opportunities from Queen's late in the frame.
In the second quarter, Queen's regained control, led by Ollie Engen (Kinesiology), who tallied seven points in the period and orchestrated the offense with poise. Fan favorite Scott Jenkins (Concurrent Education) ignited the home crowd with a three-pointer from the corner, contributing to a 43-36 halftime lead for the Gaels.
The third quarter proved challenging for Queen's, as Toronto opened on a 17-3 run, exploiting defensive lapses and turnovers to seize momentum. However, the Gaels countered with physical play, highlighted by Kai Dalen (Arts & Science) dominating the offensive glass and Engen stepping into a takeover role. Queen's managed to trim Toronto's lead, entering the final quarter with a slim three-point advantage at 62-59.
The fourth quarter delivered a dramatic conclusion. Syllas (Concurrent Education) hit a clutch three-pointer to tie the game late, setting the stage for Engen's dazzling up-and-under layup to give the Gaels a crucial lead. Syllas drained another three-pointer in the final minute to seal the victory, finishing with 15 points, 7 assists, and 5 steals. Engen led all scorers with 21 points while also contributing 7 rebounds and 4 assists.
Toronto struggled to match Queen's defensive intensity, committing 36 turnovers, which the Gaels converted into 39 points. Queen's also showcased its depth, with 31 points coming from the bench. Despite being out-rebounded 51-30, the Gaels' defensive pressure and timely shooting from beyond the arc (7-for-27) proved decisive.
Queen's will look to carry this momentum into Saturday's matchup against the Lakehead Thunderwolves at home. Tip-off is set for 6 p.m., with tickets available through the Queen's Gaels website.
