Queen's Men's Basketball closed out the first half of their regular season with a hard fought 70-69 win over the McMaster Marauders Saturday in Hamilton, Ont.

With the victory, the Gaels will head into 2025 on an eight game winning streak.

Queen's started Saturday's win strong, holding a seven-point lead after the first quarter and nine-point lead at half time. The Marauders fought back in the third quarter, and evened the score heading into the fourth quarter. The Gaels would edge McMaster down the stretch and hold on for the narrow victory.

Ollie Engen (Kinesiology) continued a strong first season with Queen's Men's Basketball, leading the Gaels with 18 points while adding five rebounds in the win. 

Luka Syllas (Concurrent Education) fell just short of a double double, recording 11 points and nine rebounds in the win. And AJ Cumming (Arts) also finished the game scoring in double digits, recording 10 for Queen's.

While the Gaels were outshot from the floor, 39 per cent to 33 per cent, they held the edge from three-point range, 26 per cent to 19 per cent.

Queen's is now 9-1 on the season and sit in second place in the OUA East Division standings heading into the winter break.