2022 U SPORTS Men's Final 8 Basketball Championships
Quarterfinal #2: Queen's pulls away late, tops Dalhousie 90-80
April 1, 2022
Queen's advances to first-ever U SPORTS MBB Semifinal
EDMONTON – The #5 Queen's Gaels had five players score in double figures en route to a thrilling 90-80 USPORTS Quarter-final victory over the #4 Dalhousie Tigers Friday afternoon at the Saville Centre.
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The Gaels were led by OUA East first-team all-star Cole Syllas who scored 18 points to go with six rebounds and seven assists. He was joined in the winning effort by fourth-year forward Connor Keefe who added 15 points and 10 rebounds, and Quinton Gray who potted a team-high 19 points including four threes.
"We expect to beat every team. We expected to be here, and we prepared that way," said Gray. "Our coaches worked overtime to get us ready to play. Our scouts have been amazing."
Fourth-year guard Keevan Veinot was the best Tiger of the afternoon, recording a game-high 21 points. Second-team All-Canadian Alex Carson was also effective, potting three shots from beyond the arc.
It was the U SPORTS Final Eight debut for the Gaels, who capture an opening victory for their program.
"Our conditioning has always been excellent. We run a lot of high minute guys, and I think that energy and fitness factored into the fourth quarter," continued Gray. "We knew if we keep fighting, we will be the last one standing.
It was a fast-paced first half, with offence coming in droves for both sides. The Tigers shot 54.8% from the field, including 40% from three, and while the Gaels were less efficient shooting the ball, they collected a monstrous 12 offensive rebounds that led to easy buckets in the paint. The teams went into the break tied at 44.
Fourth-year Tigers guard Venoit paced all scorers with 15 points, while the Gaels were paced by Syllas who recorded 10 points to go with four assists.
The second half saw Dalhousie maintaining their efficiency while the Gaels found their stroke from three-point range, going four for six in the third quarter.
The game was airtight until the Gaels were able to snag some momentum after the Tigers were in foul trouble midway through the fourth quarter. Queens, down 78-75, ripped off a 13-0 run which Dalhousie would not recover from.
The Gaels advance to play the #8 Saskatchewan Huskies tomorrow at 6PM MST/8PM EST in the men's Championship Semi-final, while the Tigers take on the #1 Brock Badgers in the first Consolation Semi-final tomorrow at 1PM MST/3PM EST.
Nike Top Performers
Queen's Gaels: Quinton Gray
Dalhousie Tigers: Keevan Veinot