Saturday 23 February 2008

Stingers hold off Gaiters in Pomykala's last game

Concordia 86, Bishop's 80 6'1" Damian Buckley hit a clutch three with just over a minute to play that clinch the Stingers win at home in the final game in the great coaching career of Bishop's mentor Eddie Pomykala. Buckley's big shot came off a high ball screen immediately after Bishop's 6'7" Herman Tesfaghebriel had brought the Gaiters back to within 2 with a clutch 3 of his own. Unfortunately, it was Tesfaghebriel who appeared to miss hedging out on the ball screen that resulted in Buckley's game-clinching shot. Buckley (game-high 29 points including 4-8 3's) hit several momentum killing shots for the Stingers, who remained in a tie for second spot with McGill, 4 point winners over UQAM. The Stingers and Redmen meet on Sunday with second place and a home court game at stake. In a somewhat-physical game, the referees allowed the teams to play their contrasting styles with Bishop's perimeter-oriented game keeping them close and the Stingers looking to get to the rim whenever possible. 6'1" sophomore point guard Andrew Wright showed that he has a bright future, with a season-best stat line of 17 points, 7 rebounds and 7 assists against the tough Concordia backcourt while 6'3" freshman Kevin Selman added 15 for the Gaiters, who got only 10 points on 2-10 shooting from 1st QSSF all-star Junior Nicolas. 6'3" Andre Johnny added 18 for the Stingers in advance of their big game on Sunday at McGill.

NOTES... About 20 of Eddie's former players and many families from Eddie's many years at Bishop's were on hand to help celebrate Pomykala's final game. Eddie has built a tremendous legacy at Bishop's, bringing prominence to the small university in Lennoxville. As well, in a classy gesture, Concordia Head Coach John Dore presented Pomykala with some gifts acknowledging his final game in a pre-game ceremony.

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