By Leighton Geraghty – Contributor

Both basketball teams thoroughly enjoyed their rest week as they patiently watched the rest of the RSEQ games unfold. Throughout the past month of play, the women’s basketball team has faced significant challenges. The young roster has been left shorthanded in their previous games as they grapple with an injury bug. Despite the untimely onset of these injuries, the Gaiters pulled off a two-game win streak in early February against the Concordia Stingers, securing them a second place position and home court advantage for the playoffs. Two young guards, Laurie Lafleur and Marriane “Zou” Boithias, led the team and had their way with the Stingers. Boithias was two assists away from her first career triple-double in a Gaiters jersey. The guard from Montbrison, France emerged as a leader over the second half of the season. Filled with smiles and a positive attitude, Boithias was named player of the game on Feb. 2. In an interview with the Gaiters play-by-play announcer, Leighton Geraghty, she stated that the team’s bond is an asset to their success on the court. 

The team returned to practice last week with one goal in mind, to take down the Rouge et Or. This bye week was much needed for the Gaiters to rest and recover from the injuries sustained throughout the season. The dual threat of forwards, Kalina Alexander-Renaud and the “Queen of Rebounds” Victoria Gauna, awaited their return to the lineup after being sidelined due to injuries. Bishop’s travelled to play the top-ranked RSEQ team at the Université Laval, who are also ranked fourth nationally. Laval had remained undefeated through their first 14 games. The Gaiters squad sought to break this streak when they tipped off at 6 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 16, but the Rouge et Or trumped them that night 75-71.

The women’s team will return to the Mitchell Gymnasium for their final game of the regular season, which is also the senior game, against UQAM on Wednesday, Feb. 21. They patiently await to see who they will be facing at the semi-final matchup on Feb. 28.

The men’s team enters the court with something to prove. Having fallen to Concordia in early February’s home series, they returned from the bye week with a bitter taste in their mouths. As the other games unfolded in the RSEQ, Bishop’s ended up clinching a playoff spot due to a McGill loss. The Gaiters were in third place and had to secure their position with one win in their final two games of play. With the bye week, coach McLean seized the opportunity to return to the drawing board and rest his players. Despite having lost their last two games, sophomore forward Etienne Gagnon is starting to prove why the media booth calls him “Mr. Rebound”. Fellow forward Charles Robert continues to remain a dangerous force to be reckoned with in the RSEQ.

The team tipped off against Laval at 8 p.m. last Friday, wringing out an 81-78 victory over the Rouge et Or. Obi Dike-Nwagbara led the scoreboard with 17 points and four three-pointers. Friday’s results secured the Gaiters their third place ranking in the RSEQ.

The men will also be in action on Wednesday at an 8 p.m. tip-off in the Mitchell Gymnasium for senior night. 

Both teams look to improve their postseason success. Last year, they both fell short to UQAM in the finals. The next couple of weeks will be of great importance in Lennoxville as Gaiters athletics looks to put Bishop’s name on the map.