CIS Hoops.ca

Playoff positioning in the "Q" gained more clarity after this evening's games as first and last place have been decided with the battle for second place and a home semi-final playoff game still up for grabs with Concordia, McGill and UQAM still involved. Long-time Bishop's Head Coach Eddie Pomykala coached his final game at the Mitchell Gymnasium in Lennoxville this evening and has two games remaining in his storied career; unfortunately his Gaiters will miss the playoffs for the second consecutive season but still can play the role of spoilers when they finish their season at Concordia next weekend. Results from tonight's games and then the standings/playoff possibilities follow:

UQAM (6-7) 80, Bishop's (2-12) 68 The Citadins again got solid performances from their veterans as rugged 6'5" fifth-year forward Kevin Boucher led all scorers with 19 points and added 7 rebounds while 6'2" graduating guard Sam Johnson added 13 points and 7 rebounds as UQAM stayed in the hunt for second place by winning in Lennoxville, spoiling the final home game in the coaching career of Bishop's mentor Eddie Pomykala. UQAM jumped out to an early double digit lead and led by 18 at halftime. 6'1" Junior Nicolas led Bishop's with 17 points and 7 assists. Bishop's plays their final 2 games on the road including tomorrow night's game in Ste. Foy at Laval, while UQAM hosts Concordia this Sunday afternoon in a critical matchup relative to deciding second place in the conference.

Laval (12-2) 95, Concordia (7-6) 84 6'3" sophomore J.F. Beaulieu-Mahieux went 10 for 13 from beyond the three point arc, en route to a career-high 41 points, leading le Rouge et Or to the victory in Montreal. Stingers 6'1" Damian Buckley did his best to keep Concordia in the game, playing all 40 minutes and scoring 32 points including 5-11 3's while contributing his usual rebounding (7 rebounds) and playmaking (6 assists). Laval's 6'7" J.P. Morin had a 25-point, 18-rebound double double as le Rouge et Or basically went with their 5 starters for much of the game. Concordia got a solid effort from 6'8" Jamal Gallier, who appears to be getting healthy for the stretch run, with 15 points and 11 rebounds. The Stingers failed in their attempt to further secure second place and the home court advantage in the first round of the "Q" playoffs. Laval had already officially clinched first place in the conference and their victory was their 12th in a row in league play.

QSSF STANDINGS
Laval 12-2
Concordia 7-6
McGill 7-7
UQAM 6-7
Bishop's 2-12

Games this weekend:
Saturday: Bishop's at Laval
Sunday: Concordia at UQAM

Next Weekend:
Bishop's at Concordia
UQAM at McGill
Laval at UQAM
Concordia at McGill

Concordia (games remaining: 3) at UQAM; BISHOP'S; at McGill
McGill (games remaining: 2) UQAM; CONCORDIA
UQAM (games remaining: 3) CONCORDIA; at McGill; LAVAL

Based on the remaining schedule, Concordia, with only 6 losses, retains the inside track on second place; a win over UQAM tomorrow would all but clinch second place for the Stingers since they would be two ahead of UQAM in the loss column and one game ahead of McGill while owning the head-to-head tiebreaker. The Stingers must play two road games at UQAM and at McGill but also host Bishop's. McGill loses the tie-breaker against both teams (2 games to 1 and -33 points vs. Concordia: McGill must win next week's game by 34 points to own the tiebreaker; 2 games to 1 and -44 points vs. UQAM). Concordia has a 2-1 lead on UQAM in the season series but only leads by 6 total points so a win by UQAM by 7 or more points vaults the Citadins into the driver's seat for second place in the "Q" although the Citadins do finish with first-place Laval on the final day of the season.