KINGSTON, ON – The reigning U SPORTS bronze medalist Queen’s Gaels kicked off their season on Thursday night when they hosted the Laurentian Voyageurs. After a hard fought physical battle, the Gaels pushed away in the fourth quarter to a 68-52 win.

The first quarter started with the Gaels and Voyageurs getting inside the paint. Bailey and Sydney Tabin fuelled the play of the Voyageurs early as they worked around the post. The Gaels guards used their attack off the dribble to get to the rim on the other end and the game was tied throughout the first quarter. The Gaels held a 17-13 lead going into the second quarter.

As the second quarter started, both sides started to expand the floor and find opportunities from beyond the arch. The Voyageurs continuing with their paint presence, often found shooters in the corner for threes while the Gaels moved the ball around the arch to find shooters like Isabella Belvedere who was a constant three-point threat throughout the game. The Gaels led 30-28 at halftime.

The Gaels forced several Laurentian turnovers through half-court defence and quick hands in the middle third of the court. The Voyageurs defence stopped the Gaels from really extending their lead but as the third quarter went on, the efficiency of the Gaels and the number of chances allowed them to slowly start building their lead. Going into the final frame, the Gaels led 51-43.

Queen’s pushed the game open quickly in the fourth thanks to their three-point shooting and the 51-43 lead quickly turned to 64-47. Through an eight point streak from Bridget Mulholland and threes from Belvedere, the Gaels kept the Voyageurs from pushing back into the game and held on for the win.

Belvedere finished with 22 points making seven threes while Mulholland added 20 points, six rebounds, three assists, a block and two steals for the Gaels. On the side of the Voyageurs, Bailey Tabin finished with 16 points, 10 rebounds and two assists.

The 1-0 Gaels host the Nipissing Lakers on Friday November 4 while the Voyageurs travel to Oshawa to take on the Ontario Tech Ridgebacks who are coming off a win against Nipissing.

Feature Photo: Robin Kassem/Gaels Athletics