Big Mike's double double energizes Gaiters over Stingers to snap losing streak
SHERBROOKE, Que. – Former RSEQ University basketball MVP Mike Andrews returned to form tallying a double-double on Saturday, January 17 as the Bishop’s Gaiters men topped the Concordia Stingers 59-40 in the New Bishop’s University Gym to snap a four-game losing streak. The contest was a rematch of Thursday night where Concordia snuck out an 86-84 overtime win.
Andrews (Oakville, Ont.) scored 14 points, grabbed 10 rebounds, blocked two shots, had two steals and an assist in 24 minutes of court time. Super sophomore David Belanger (Sherbrooke, Que.) led all scorers with 16 points on 8-for-11 shooting. Karim Sy-Morissette (Montreal) added 15 points largely in part to his 4-for-5 effort from three-point land.
The low-scoring affair saw both teams struggle shooting from the floor. Bishop’s managed 38.5 percent (25-65) while Concordia was only 22.4 percent (11-49). The Gaiters also struggled from the charity stripe, they were just 2-for-9, while Concordia went 12-for-19. The sloppiness was also reflected in the turnover stat line that read Concordia 30, Bishop’s 22.
Thursday night was a different story as the Gaiters clawed their way back to tie the game in the fourth quarter, outscoring the hosts 19-12 in the final stanza. In overtime Jona Bermillo’s (Montreal) finger roll as time was winding down was blocked and Concordia pulled out an 86-84 victory, their second on the season.
After Saturday night’s win Bishop’s improves to 4-4 after starting the year 3-0. They sit in a tie for second place in the RSEQ with the Laval Rouge et Or. Both teams are chasing two-time defending conference champion McGill (6-2). Bishop’s next opponent is Laval. The teams will play a home-and-home series starting on Friday, January 23 in Quebec City. On Saturday, January 24 the teams will meet again, this time in Lennoxville. Both game times are set for 8 p.m.
The top four teams in the RSEQ will qualify for the RSEQ Final-4 slated for March 6-7 in Mitchell Gym on the Bishop’s University campus. The winner of that tournament will punch their ticket to the CIS Final-8.
