Basketball keeps rolling on road

Men win two, women lose two

The men’s basketball team kept on rolling last weekend, while the women continued to struggle.

The men swept their weekend games in Waterloo, beating Laurier 65-53 on Friday night and defeating Waterloo 61-53 on Saturday night. The women were defeated in overtime on Friday 68-62 against Laurier and then lost again on Saturday 58-45 against Waterloo.

On Friday night, solid defence and steady rebounding allowed the Gaels to hold the Hawks to only 30 per cent shooting from the floor and two-of-26 from beyond the arc.

Second-year forward Mitch Leger finished the game with 16 points and fourth-year guard Simon Mitchell contributed 14 points and 11 rebounds.

Queen’s assistant coach Duncan Cowan said the Gaels played solid defence all weekend.

“We really defended well as a team,” Cowan said.

On Saturday night the Gaels continued their defensive prowess and held the Waterloo Warriors to only 31 per cent shooting from the floor and 41 per cent from beyond the arc. Leger had a double-double in the game with 14 points and 11 rebounds.

Mitchell had another big game, contributing 14 points and seven rebounds to the win as well as a string of three-pointers to start the game.

“Mitchell had a great start,” Cowan said. “He puts pressure on the defence to try and defend against him.”

Leger said they’re going to work on running their offence in practice this week.

The women’s team has been struggling of late, dropping three of their last four games, including the two losses last weekend to Laurier and Waterloo. On Friday the team fought hard in the fourth quarter to push the game to overtime tied 59-59.

Against Laurier, they ultimately lost 68-62. They were out-rebounded and shot only 32 per cent from the field.

Captain Sarah Barnes had 15 points and fourth-year players Jamie Dale and Anne Murphy each contributed 11 points to the effort, with Dale adding eight assists.

Dale said while Barnes is a customarily strong presence in the game for them, Murphy’s performance also stood out for her.

On Saturday, the Gaels’ troubles continued against Waterloo. They were down 39-19 at the half and went only 16-of-60 from the field and two-of-13 from behind the arc. Barnes led the Gaels once again with 12 points and rookie Christine Wallace added seven.

Head coach Dave Wilson said the team definitely has some things to work on.

“We lack consistency over the course of the entire game,” Wilson said. “Our biggest concerns are rebounding and our shooting percentage.”

Wilson said the Gaels’ shooting problems may stem from the new defensive system they implemented this year.

“Shooting percentage is a confidence issue,” said Wilson. “We’ve introduced new systems so the players have to think more. As they become more comfortable, they will be more relaxed and the shooting will get better.”

Both teams return to Kingston this weekend to host the McMaster Marauders on Friday night and the Lakehead Thunderwolves on Saturday.

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