Bishop’s will carry a four-game losing streak into Winter Homecoming this weekend
The Bishop’s Gaiters dropped their fourth straight game at home Saturday night to the Laval Rouge et Or, in a one sided contest, losing 74-58.
Troubles ensued for the Gaiters from the get-go, as Laval jumped out early to a 13-4 lead with excellent transitional basketball and second chance opportunities. Poor shooting plagued the Gaiters for the duration of the game, including the first quarter, in which they had various stretches where they were cold from the floor. Laval took advantage, leading 23-11 after one period of play, highlighted by two three-pointers in transition in the final minute.
The second quarter saw the Gaiters find their shots, as Ryan Steele and Oraine Greene both connected from outside early on, to cut the lead to single digits. Still however, Laval responded. Their punishing inside play led to numerous inside buckets, and a three pointer from Jean-Philippe Renaud, pushed Laval ahead 32-19. Bishop’s controlled the final five minutes of play in the half, with Damon Thomas Anderson scoring twice on the inside, before a beautiful length of the court drive by Onnex Blackwood to score a layup at the buzzer. The basket capped an 8-2 run, trimming Laval’s lead to 34-27 entering the second half.
The third quarter proved to be a forgettable one for the Gaiters. Laval gained and established control early, with a man-to-man defense which produced turnovers, and hot outside shooting. They opened up a 41-27 advantage before Bishop’s could finally get on the scoreboard in the second half. They pushed ahead even further, as Bishop’s went on a scoring draught that lasted over five minutes. When Ryan Steele made good on a layup, they were down 49-32. The Rouge et Or didn’t let up, getting contributions from everyone on the floor, in the paint and on the outside, extending their lead to a commanding 24 point advantage to begin the final quarter. They outscored the Gaiters 22-5 in the third frame.
Ryan Steele produced the biggest bright spot in the game for the Gaiters, throwing down a dunk in the first minute of the 4th quarter, but this game was not meant to be. Guard Onnex Blackwood managed late baskets for the Gaiters, but this merely made the damage look less ugly. When the buzzer sounded, the Gaiters had dropped to 4-8 in the standings, and Laval was celebrating. In a game which was never closely contested, Laval won on the strength of their rebounding, dominating the glass 47-37. Furthermore, four players on the Rouge et Or finished in double digits in scoring. Onnex Blackwood led the Gaiters with 15 points and an impressive five steals, but unfortunately his big plays came late in the game, when things were out of reach.
Bishop’s will look to change their fortune next weekend, when they begin Winter Homecoming against McGill at Mitchell Gym Friday night at 8 PM. The Gaiters will host the Concordia Stingers the following night, Saturday, Feb. 20 at 8 p.m.
