(FRENCH VERSION SUIT)
MONTREAL — Emma-Jane Scotten scored a game-high 17 points and McGill spread the workload evenly as the Martlets defeated winless UQAM 70–50 in RSEQ women’s university basketball Thursday night at the Centre Sportif’s Olga Hrycak Court.
All 11 players who dressed for McGill saw significant minutes in a balanced effort that lifted the Martlets to 8–3 in league play, while the Citadins dropped to 0–11 and were all but eliminated from the playoff race.
UQAM won the rebounding battle 44–38 but was undone by 34 turnovers, which repeatedly fueled McGill’s transition offence.
The result marked McGill’s seventh consecutive victory over the Citadins, dating back to a 71–62 setback on Jan. 27, 2024, and was the 94th meeting between the downtown rivals. McGill improved its lifetime series lead to 59–35 since the rivalry began in 1971.
McGill set the tone early, racing to a 24–10 lead after the opening quarter and maintaining control with a 14–14 second frame to carry a 38–24 advantage into halftime. The Martlets pushed the margin further with an 18–13 third quarter to go up 56–37, then closed it out by edging UQAM 14–13 in the fourth. McGill shot 38.9 per cent from the floor and held a decisive edge in points off turnovers (26–11), while UQAM was limited to 35.8 per cent shooting.
Scotten, a 5-foot-9 guard from Ottawa, was efficient on both ends, hitting 7 of 11 shots and adding seven rebounds and a season-high six steals. The 23-year-old master’s of education student matching the half-dozen balls she pilfered on Nov. 13, 2025, also against UQAM. Daniella Mbengo contributed 11 points off the bench, while rookie Emie Boucard added nine points and four assists. Kristy Awikeh chipped in five points, five rebounds and two assists, and Erica Simeone scored eight. Leading scorer Lily Rose Chatila was held to eight points but added three steals, as McGill received contributions across the lineup and outscored UQAM 27–6 in bench points.
Alice Allard led the Citadins with 10 points and seven rebounds, while Rania Oubibette and Marjorie Marquis added 11 and 10 points, respectively.
With five games remaining, the second-place Martlets sit two points behind league-leading Laval (9–2) and two ahead of Bishop’s (6–5). McGill has clinched a playoff berth but could still finish anywhere from first to fourth in the five-team Quebec league.
Both teams return to action Saturday (Jan. 31), when McGill hosts Laval in a 4 p.m. matinee at Love Competition Hall. UQAM will try to snap its 11-game losing streak later that evening with a 6 p.m. road game at Concordia. The only chance that UQAM has to qualify for post-season play would be to win all five remaining games, including two meetings with the fourth-place Stingers (5-6), who would have to lose all five of theirs.
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Scotten scores 17 points and Martlets remain two points behind Laval as playoffs fast approach
MONTRÉAL — Emma-Jane Scotten scored a game-high 17 points and McGill spread the workload evenly, helping the Martlets beat winless UQAM 70-50 Thursday night in RSEQ women’s varsity basketball action at Center Sportif Olga Hrycak Court.
The 11 players who donned the McGill jersey all played an important role in this collective effort which allowed the Martlets to reach a record of 8-3 in the league, while the Citadins fell to 0-11 and were virtually eliminated from playoff contention.
UQAM won the rebounding battle 44-38, but was hampered by 34 turnovers, which repeatedly fueled McGill’s transition attack.
This result marks McGill’s seventh consecutive victory over the Citadins, since their 71-62 defeat on January 27, 2024, and constitutes the 94th meeting between the two downtown rivals. McGill improved its series lead to 59-35 since the rivalry began in 1971.
McGill set the tone from the start, taking a 24-10 lead after the first quarter and maintaining control with a 14-14 second quarter to lead 38-24 at halftime. The Martlets further widened the gap with an 18-13 third quarter to lead 56-37, then finished the game by beating UQAM 14-13 in the fourth quarter. McGill shot 38.9% from the field and maintained a decisive advantage in terms of points on turnovers (26-11), while UQAM was limited to 35.8% shooting.
Scotten, a 5-foot-9 point guard from Ottawa, was efficient on both ends of the court, hitting 7 of 11 shots and adding 7 rebounds and 6 steals, her best total of the season. The 23-year-old master’s degree student matched the six balls she intercepted on November 13, 2025, also against UQAM. Daniella Mbengo contributed 11 points coming off the bench, while rookie Emie Boucard added nine points and four assists. Kristy Awikeh added five points, five rebounds and two assists, and Erica Simeone scored eight points. The best scorer, Lily Rose Chatilawas limited to eight points, but added three steals, while McGill benefited from the contribution of all its players and dominated UQAM 27-6 in terms of points scored by the substitutes.
Alice Allard led the Citadines with 10 points and seven rebounds, while Rania Oubibette and Marjorie Marquis added 11 and 10 points, respectively.
With five games remaining, the second-ranked Martlets are two points behind league leader Laval (9-2) and two points ahead of Bishop’s (6-5). McGill has secured a playoff spot, but could still finish between first and fourth in the five-team Quebec league.
Both teams will return to action on Saturday, January 31, when McGill hosts Laval at 4 p.m. at Love Competition Hall. UQAM will try to end its streak of 11 consecutive defeats later in the evening, during an away match at Concordia at 6 p.m. UQAM’s only chance to qualify for the playoffs would be to win the remaining five games, including both meetings with the Stingers (5-6), who are in fourth place and expected to lose all five of their games.
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SOURCE:
Earl Zukerman
Sports Information Officer
Athletics & Recreation
McGill University
CELL: 514-983-7012
E-MAIL:earl.zukerman@mcgill.ca
