Queen's Men's Basketball fell 109-98 to the UC Dinos in the U SPORTS National Championship quarterfinals in Vancouver. Despite a resilient effort and a standout shooting performance from
AJ Cummings (Arts & Science), the Gaels were unable to overcome Calgary's dominant three-point shooting and strong rebounding presence.
The Gaels entered the game looking to advance to the U SPORTS Final 4 for the second straight season. Queen's found early momentum behind Cummings, who was electric from beyond the arc, finishing 6-for-8 from three-point range and leading the team with 24 points. Calgary, however, countered with a blistering offensive attack, hitting 19 three-pointers on 54.3% shooting from deep.
Calgary took control early, leading 31-25 after the first quarter as Queen's struggled to finish inside. The Gaels found some rhythm in the second quarter, as Cummings remained locked in from deep and
Ashton Bain (Arts & Science) added energy off the bench with an and-one finish.
Luka Syllas (Concurrent Education) fought through contact to convert key baskets, finishing the game with 13 points and four rebounds. At halftime, the Dinos held a slim 57-55 lead.
The third quarter proved decisive, as Calgary pushed the lead to double digits. The Gaels had trouble establishing themselves defensively, allowing the Dinos to extend their lead to 15 points midway through the frame.
Lucas Ponting (Commerce) provided a spark with a pull-up three in transition, but Queen's still trailed 78-71 entering the final quarter.
Calgary's three-point shooting continued to be the difference in the fourth, as the Dinos hit several key shots to maintain their lead.
Ollie Engen (Kinesiology) found success attacking the rim, finishing with 20 points, while Ponting added 15. Despite a late push, including a contested jumper from Cummings and another transition three from Ponting, the deficit proved too large to overcome.
Calgary out-rebounded Queen's 54-43 and controlled the game's pace in transition, capitalizing on second-chance opportunities and defensive stops. The Gaels finished the night shooting 40.7% from the field and 38.5% from deep, but Calgary's efficiency from beyond the arc proved to be the deciding factor.
With the loss, Queen's moves to the consolation semifinal, where the Gaels will face the loser of UPEI vs. UBC on Friday at 4 PM ET. The game will be streamed live on CBC Sports.
