(25/01/25) - Kingston, ON., After a 14-game win streak, the Queen's Gaels Men's Basketball team comes to a halt falling a bucket short 102-100 to the Brock Badgers. The Badgers came into the game sitting third in the OUA West with a record of 12-3, while the Gaels sat atop the OUA East conference with a record of 14-1. After trailing the Badgers throughout the game, the Gaels made a comeback in the fourth that lead to a nail-biting final 10 minutes of play. Although the Gaels saw a pathway to victory, the game ultimately went to the Badgers. No. 3 Luka Syllas (Con-Ed) put up a total of 24 points throughout the game, 14 of which were scored in the second. No. 8 Ollie Engen (Kinesiology) followed not far behind with 19, and no. 6 Kai Dalen (Arts) who had himself a successful evening the previous game, scored 11. The Gaels had yet to see the Badgers since the OUA Title game last March, where the Gaels defeated the Badgers 79-76 on a buzzer-beater three-pointer. 

The first quarter began slow for the Gaels as the Badgers scored the first basket and went up 18-4 within the first five minutes of game-play. A layup and three by no. 7 Aj Cummings (Arts) followed by a three from Engen brought the Gaels back into the game after a timeout. Cummings was hot from the arch during the first and put up eight points for the Gaels. The first closed with the Badgers leading by nine, 28-19. 

The Gaels made a comeback on their offensive plays through the second quarter with Syllas hitting 14 and no. 23 Jalen Sikkema (Media) scoring 8. No. With numerous personal fouls called on Gaels players who were beginning to find momentum, coach Steph Barrie came up creative mixes of player to avoid ejections from his bench. As a result, No. 15 Isaac Krueger (Arts) and no. 22 Malcolm Bailey (Sociology) found themselves on-and-off the court after collecting two personal fouls each. The Badgers found themselves giving up a slew of turnovers throughout the second period costing them 21 points to which the Gaels were able to capitalize on. Two from the arch for no. 14 Ashton Bain (Arts), as well as three's from Syllas and Sikkema, assisted the Gaels in taking a lead of 53-51 at the end of the first half.

After many back-and-forth baskets across the court, a foul is called on the Badgers sending no. 12 Tyson Lama (Arts) to the foul line. Lama sunk both and tied the game back 61-61. The Badgers quickly pulled away from the Gaels 71-61 until no. 13 Scott Jenkins (Con-Ed) scored a three bringing the game within single digits.  The fouls continued to climb for the Gaels during the third. Two baskets by Dalen and two jumpers by Engen bring the Gaels back within two, 75-73. 

The fourth began with layups by Dalen and Sikkema giving the Gaels back the lead 83-77.  Lama found his seventh point in the evening with a three-pointer.  The Badgers froze the Gaels as they took back a lead of eight forcing a Gaels timeout. Coming back off the bench hot with two layups by Syllas and Cummings, followed by another three by Syllas, brought the score within one 91-90 with under four minutes left in the game. Syllas was on fire from the arch with the Gaels leading 97-96.  The Badgers scored with 1.3 seconds left in the game forcing a Gaels timeout. Syllas lined-up at the arch but was unable to sink it for a buzzer-beater win. 

The Queen's Gaels Men's Basketball team face the 14-2 Ottawa Gee-Gee's next on Friday, January 31st at 8:00 PM, who are tied for the season now with the Gaels. Catch the game on OUA.TV as the Gaels continue their push towards playoff season.