Back-to-back transition 3's by 6'3" Winn Clark and 6'0" Olivier Bouchard with 5 minutes remaining sparked a game deciding 13-4 run including 8 points in a row as the Redmen moved into the first-round, home-playoff-game discussion in the QUBL with a strong win at home against the Stingers. Clark's 3 was followed by a McGill stop and then on the break, Bouchard was left alone on the left baseline and he made no mistake. Later, 6'2" Kyle Desmarais turned it over and on the ensuing break, 6'8" Greg Gause made a pair of free throws after getting fouled and the Redmen were never really threatened thereafter. 6'3" Simon Bibeau had several big buckets for McGill and led all scorers with 22 points in a tight, defensive struggle.
Stingers struggled to score against a Redmen defense that took them out of their sets for the most part. However, Concordia's bigs struggled as 6'5" James Clark had a poor offensive game and Desmarais finished with only 13 points, well off his team-leading average. Concordia had one final opportunity to get back into the game as, down 7 with 2 minutes remaining in the game, Desmarais attacked the rim and was fouled. In the ensuing discussion, Concordia coach John Dore was assessed a technical and Redmen got two shots and the ball, pulling away for the win. Gause put the exclamation mark on the win with a strong two-handed jam off an in-bounds play with the Stingers overplaying everything that gave McGill their largest lead at 70-59 in the final minute.
In a sloppy but spirited, sometimes chippy first quarter, both teams had trouble taking care of the ball and making shots, with the Stingers grabbing a one point lead at 12-11. The game had a bit more flow to it especially in the second quarter when it appeared Concordia may take control, as Desmarais was able to get in the lane and finish or find people while McGill generally struggled to score, although the Redmen did clean up the defensive glass. Entering the fourth quarter, McGill led 47-45 after a pair of Gause free throws with 5 seconds left in the third. Foul trouble mounted for Concordia as Desmarais picked up his 4th personal with about 7 minutes remaining on an "and 1" by Clark that gave the Redmen a 3 point lead.
Box Score
QUBL Standings
Laval 5-1
McGill 4-2
Concordia 5-3
UQAM 3-4
Bishop's 0-7
Friday: Laval at Bishop's
Saturday: Bishop's at Concordia
Sunday: McGill at Laval
2 comments:
I wonder if we will ever see two teams from the Q represented at nationals in the same year?
It would take an extraordinary set of circumstances for that to happen.
First, the best two teams from the Quebec conference would need to be virtually flawless in their respective non conference schedules.
That means a record of 6-0 or better and win a couple of tournaments.
It would help immensely if both teams chalk up some wins against ranked opponents from other conferences.
That would establish credibility with the voters.
And once the regular season begins both teams must thoroughly dominate the other three in league play because in a small 5 team league, it wouldn't take much to dissuade the coaches from seriously considering a wild card from Quebec because of any loss to the lesser teams.
Finally, the top two teams must split their season series and each game must be extremely competitive and close.
This is the only scenario I can envision in which the Q could earn a wild card to nationals
hey coaches, can you pleeeease drop Concordia from the top 10 now? Please.
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