(14/02/25) - Kingston, ON., In a rivalry match-up that brought the emotions and physicality, the Queen's Gaels defeat the Carleton Ravens 85-81 in the second last game of the regular season. The Gaels entered the game tied with the Ravens for second in the OUA East with the records of 15-5. If the Gaels win both games against Ottawa opponents this weekend, they will get the first round bye which will be much needed after injuries sustained by Gaels players no. 15 Isaac Krueger (Arts) and no. 8 Ollie Engen (Kinesiology) during heated moments of the game. The Gaels had lost four of five of their last games, so this win turns around the vibe going into the post-season. No. 3 Luka Syllas (Con-Ed) led the game in points with 24 - having to hold down the offensive plays after losing players to injury. 

The Gaels started off the game strong keeping pace with the Ravens.  The last time the two teams met, the Gaels lost by 20 points, so the key to this game was to not allow the Ravens to pull away in points. The Gaels showed confidence early on in the game although the Ravens led in rebounds keeping a close game. Within the first ten minutes of game-play, high emotions associated to the intensity of the rivalries between these two teams began to show. The first quarter finished with the Gaels leading by one, 18-17. Syllas and no. 9 Aaron Tennant (Law) led the first period in points with 4 each, and no. 22 Malcolm Bailey (Sociology) led rebounds with 3.

The second period allowed the Gaels to take off offensively as they built a momentum needed to keep their lead against their strong opponents. The Gaels have been known to go on scoring runs that give them a confident lead, and this is exactly what happened in the second. With eight points by Engen, seven by Krueger and six by Syllas, the Gaels were on fire at the hoop. Where the Ravens struggled in the second was in costly turnovers they allowed.  The Gaels finished the first. half of the game leading 45-39.

The third quarter is where chaos ensued. Not soon after returning from the locker rooms, Krueger sustains an ankle injury after a physical tussle, which also resulted in Bailey receiving a blow to the head. Krueger would not return to the court for the remainder of the game. No. 13 Scott Jenkins (Con-Ed) fills Krueger's absense from the arch with two back-to-back three's. Engen sustained an ankle injury late in the third to which he received trainer attention for, although he returned for three minutes in the fourth. Engen led the third in points scored with seven. The physicality and emotions of this rivalry peaked in the third as a tussle ensued with only 37 seconds left in the quarter. Nonetheless, the Gaels maintained their lead adding 27 points to the scoreboard to bring the score to 72-66.

The fourth quarter saw a bit of a shake-up in the Gaels players on the court due to the injuries sustained in the third. Syllas kept the Gaels on pace with the Ravens, who were slowly clawing their way back to the Gaels lead, with 8 points on the quarter, bringing him to his total of 24 for the game. No. 10 Lucas Ponting (Commerce) scores from the arch to give the Gaels back a seven point lead at the half, 81-74. The dual came close at a three point game 53 seconds left in the evening.  Syllas shoots two good free-throws with four seconds remaining. After a timeout called by the Ravens, the Gaels run the clock and defeat the Ravens 85-81.

With this win, the Gaels move to second in the OUA East breaking their tie with the Ravens and brought their season record to 16-5. As the Gael's Men's Basketball team have their final game of the regular season following this evenings game, the Gaels will be hosting their annual Seniors Night to honour and celebrate the graduating players. Tune in to the Gaels match against the 19-2 Ottawa Gee-gees tomorrow evening, February 15th, at 6:00 PM, live at the Queen's Athletics and Recreation Center, or livestream on OUA.TV.