By Twahiba Kashe – Contributor

On Jan. 30, the women’s basketball team delivered a statement win against the Université de Laval women’s team – the second-ranked team in the country. This home game victory marked a major triumph for the Gaiters, proving they can go head-to-head with the nation’s best teams as the season approaches its end.

Having played Laval once already, a game that ended in a loss for the Gaiters, the team knew heading into this matchup that they would be facing a challenging opponent. Laval’s dominant reputation precedes them, but the Gaiters refused to be intimidated. “Heading into the game against Laval, our mindset was all about resilience and confidence,” said Sandra Mbekou, a fifth-year guard. “We knew that they were the number-two team in the country, but we also believed in our preparation, our work ethic and our ability to compete at that level. The focus was on executing our game plan, playing with intensity and staying composed no matter what. We wanted to prove that we could go and win against the best.” 

Mariama Diallo, a second-year guard, echoes Mbekou’s feelings as well. “Personally, my mindset was also to have fun and play tough defense. It was a good challenge because Laval has good guards. In the end, my ultimate goal was to have fun with teammates and follow the game plan.”

The Gaiters’ win against Université de Laval was a testament to their perfectly executed strategy. While they were down five points by half-time, they bounced back during the third quarter, scoring 27 points. 

For the players, this victory was significant. “Personally, this win means a lot,” expressed Mbekou. “It’s a statement, not just to others, but to ourselves too that we can compete with the top teams in the country. It reinforces the hard work we’ve been putting in and gave us momentum moving forward. It’s a confidence booster, but at the same time, we know we have to stay locked in and keep building on this performance.”

The women’s basketball team will face Laval once again on Feb. 20, right before the RSEQ playoffs, on their Senior Night. This is another opportunity to showcase their determination and continue strong toward the postseason. Make sure to come and support your Gaiters!