The Queen's Gaels Men's Basketball Team ended their three-game losing streak in spectacular fashion, securing a commanding 123-72 victory over the Nipissing Lakers on the road. This win improves Queen's record to 15-4 and reaffirms their position as a top contender in the OUA East.
Queen's set the tone early with a strong offensive start, highlighted by
Isaac Krueger (Arts & Science) opening the scoring with a layup. The Gaels built a 10-point lead midway through the first quarter, but the Lakers responded with an 11-0 run to take a brief one-point lead.
Luka Syllas (Concurrent Education) reignited the Gaels' offense with a steal and fast-break dunk, and
Ollie Engen (Kinesiology) led all scorers with 8 points by the end of the first quarter.
In the second quarter,
Lucas Ponting (Commerce) provided a quick swing of 4 points in just 12 seconds, helping Queen's extend their lead. Despite struggling on the defensive glass, the Gaels managed to close the first half with a 19-point lead, 59-40, thanks to a big three-pointer from Syllas and a game-high 15 points from Engen.
The Gaels continued their dominance in the third quarter, with Syllas opening the half with a statement three-pointer. Queen's went on a blistering run, outscoring the Lakers 28-13 in the quarter and building up a 42-point lead by the end of the quarter.
In the fourth quarter, Queen's maintained their momentum, ultimately securing a 123-72 victory. The Gaels showcased their depth, with significant contributions from both starters and reserves. Engen led the team with 21 points and 8 assists, while Krueger added 16 points and 4 rebounds. Ponting was perfect from the field, scoring 15 points on 5-of-5 shooting, including 3 three-pointers.
AJ Cummings (Arts & Science) also had a standout performance off the bench, contributing 21 points and shooting 6-of-9 from beyond the arc.
The Gaels' defensive pressure was a key factor in the win, forcing 22 turnovers and converting them into 25 points. Queen's also dominated the boards, out-rebounding Nipissing 47-31 and scoring 21 second-chance points.
Queen's will look to build on this momentum as they face the Laurentian Voyageurs on the road tomorrow at 3 p.m. Fans can catch the game live on OUA.tv.
