(FRENCH VERSION SUIT)
LENNOXVILLE, Que. — Matt Phaneuf of Gatineau, Que., scored a game-high 24 points, but McGill couldn’t overcome foul trouble and a physical second half as Bishop’s pulled away for an 83–72 victory in RSEQ men’s university basketball Saturday night at Mitchell Gym.
The win lifted the league-leading Gaiters to 10–1, while the youthful Redbirds dropped to 1–10. Throughout the bout, McGill showed its mettle, keeping pace with a veteran Gaiters squad, despite a roster that includes nine rookies and four sophomores.
The contest was tight and testy throughout, with a combined 46 personal fouls whistled and 55 free-throw attempts. McGill lost Alexandre Reinert-Woodfine and Luis Micourt who both fouled-out down the stretch.
Bishop’s edged ahead 22–20 after the opening quarter before McGill briefly seized momentum with an 18–17 second frame to trail just 39–38 at halftime. The Gaiters regained control in the third, outscoring the visitors 23–15 to open a seven-point cushion, then closed it out by taking the fourth 21–19 in a game that saw both teams in the bonus for much of the final quarter.
Tempers flared midway through the fourth when a brief fracas resulted in back-to-back technical fouls against Bishop’s, allowing McGill to cut the deficit to 62-54 after Phaneuf drained three in a row at the free-throw line. But the Gaiters answered with timely baskets and rebounding, finishing with a 43–38 edge on the glass and a 28–16 advantage in points in the paint.
Bishop’s shot 40.3 per cent from the floor (26/67) and went 22-for-34 from the line, while McGill hit 42.6 per cent overall (26/61) but struggled at the stripe, converting just 10 of 21 attempts.
Phaneuf, a 5-foot-8, 164-pound point-guard, was efficient for the Redbirds, going 8-for-13 from the field and 4-for-4 from three-point range, while adding four assists. The 22-year-old international development studies junior easily outshone his season high of five points and his previous regular season career-high of 11 points, a day shy of two years ago against Concordia on Jan. 11, 2024.
Sean Duff chipped in 11 points, and Saransh Padhy finished with eight points, nine rebounds and four assists. McGill also received eight points and eight boards from Felix Theriault off the bench. The Redbirds committed 25 personal fouls and finished with 14 turnovers.
Bishop’s was paced by Charles Robert‘s 21 points and nine rebounds, while Strong heart added 17 and Yanis Malanda contributed 16. Reggie Jean Seraphin added 13 rebounds as the Gaiters capitalized on free throws and second-chance opportunities to pull away late.
The matchup marked the 213th lifetime meeting between the longtime rivals, with McGill still holding a 134–79 edge in the all-time series. The Redbirds now turn their attention to a home-and-home series against third-place Concordia (5–4), beginning Thursday (Jan. 15) at Love Competition Hall, followed by a Jan. 17 rematch at the Loyola campus. Bishop’s returns to action Jan. 17 at Laval (7–3).
BOXSCORE
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Gaiters survive fourth-quarter brawl to remain atop RSEQ standings
LENNOXVILLE, Quebec — Matt Phaneuffrom Gatineau, Que., scored a game-high 24 points, but McGill couldn’t overcome its foul problems and a physical second half, and Bishop’s won 83-72 Saturday night at Mitchell Gymnasium in the RSEQ men’s university basketball championship.
The victory brings the league-leading Gaiters to 10-1, while the young Redbirds fall to 1-10. Throughout the game, McGill showed its determination, holding off an experienced Gaiters team, despite a roster made up of nine rookies and four sophomores.
The game was close and tense throughout, with a total of 46 personal fouls called and 55 free throws attempted. McGill lost Alex Reinert-Woodfine and Luis Micourtboth eliminated for fouling in the final minutes.
Bishop’s took a 22-20 lead after the first quarter, before McGill briefly regained the lead with an 18-17 second quarter, only to trail 39-38 at halftime. The Gaiters regained control in the third quarter, outscoring the visitors 23-15 to take a seven-point lead, then finished the game by winning the fourth quarter 21-19, in a game where both teams benefited from extra free throws for much of the final quarter.
Tempers flared midway through the fourth quarter when a brief altercation resulted in two consecutive technical fouls against Bishop’s, allowing McGill to cut the lead to 62-54 after Phaneuf made three straight free throws. But the Gaiters responded with timely baskets and rebounds, finishing with a 43-38 advantage in rebounding and 28-16 in the paint.
Bishop’s shot 40.3% from the field (26/67) and made 22 of 34 shots from the line, while McGill shot 42.6% overall (26/61) but struggled from the line, converting just 10 shots on 21 attempts.
Phaneuf, a 5-foot-8, 164-pound guard, was efficient for the Redbirds, hitting 8-of-13 shots and 4-of-4 three-pointers while adding four assists. The 22-year-old junior, an international development student, easily surpassed his season high of five points and his previous regular season high of 11 points, set almost two years ago against Concordia on January 11, 2024.
Sean Duff added 11 points, and Saransh Padhy finished with eight points, nine rebounds and four assists. McGill also received eight points and eight rebounds from Felix Theriaultwho entered the game. The Redbirds committed 25 personal fouls and finished with 14 turnovers.
Bishop’s was led by Charles Robert with 21 points and 9 rebounds, while Obi Dike added 17 and Yanis Malanda 16. Reggie Jean Seraphin added 13 rebounds as the Gaiters took advantage of free throws and second chances to pull away late in the game.
This game marked the 213th meeting between these two long-time rivals, with McGill still holding a 134-79 advantage in the series. The Redbirds now focus on a two-game home and away series against third-ranked Concordia (5-4), which begins Thursday, Jan. 15, at Love Competition Hall, followed by a rematch Jan. 17 on Loyola’s campus. Bishop’s will return to the field on January 17 in Laval (7-3).
SUMMARY
