RECAP: #3 Gee-Gees power to road wins over Ontario Tech and Queen’s

NOV. 8 AT ONTARIO TECH

For the first time ever, the Gee-Gees and Ontario Tech Ridgebacks matched up in men's basketball action on Friday night. With the Ridgebacks still growing as the youngest team in the nation, the Gee-Gees made quick work building an early lead and securing a 91-60 win in Oshawa.

The Gee-Gees outscored the Ridgebacks 23-12 in the opening frame, eventually pushing their lead to 41-24 at halftime. Despite a relatively quiet shooting night, Ottawa posted significant rebounding totals in the win. 22 of the Gee-Gees' 42 rebounds on the night were on the offensive glass, resulting in 29 second-chance points. In total, the Gee-Gees scored 56 points in the paint on the night. 

In his first career regular season start, first-year forward Thomas Chilton logged an outstanding 19-point, 8-rebound performance in the win. Calvin Epistola (19 pts. / 6 stl. / 4 reb.), Charles-Antoine Gaba (12 pts. / 5 reb.) and Kevin Civil (10 pts. / 3 reb.) rounded out other Gee-Gees in double-figures.

NOV. 9 AT QUEEN'S

On Saturday, the Gee-Gees traveled to Kingston to take on the Queen's Gales in what is always a great matchup between Eastern Ontario foes. Behind an outstanding effort on both ends of the floor, the Ottawa logged a 92-63 win against the Gaels to improve to 4-0 on the regular season thus far. 

A relatively balanced first quarter saw the Gee-Gees take a slim 21-17 lead early, until the defence hounded the Gaels in the second quarter. Spearheaded by Kevin Civil and Sean Stoqua, a massive 18-2 run to close the second quarter had the Gee-Gees considerably in control with a 44-26 lead at the halftime break.

The second half was more of the same for the Gee-Gees, they continued their hot shooting with Civil leading the dominant offensive charge. On the defensive end, Ottawa forced 22 turnovers, which paid off in 28 points. 

Civil finished the night with six three-pointers, logging a career-high 30-point performance. Fifth-year captain Calvin Epistola had another outstanding performance with 19 points, 7 assists, and 5 steals in only 26 minutes played. 

Chilton (13 pts / 7 reb) and Stoqua (11 pts / 3 ast. / 3 stl.) also turned in solid performances in the win.

STATS AT A GLANCE

• Against Ontario Tech, three Gee-Gees freshman forwards showed how bright the future is for the team as Chilton, Gaba, and Cole Newkirk combined for 39 points and 13 rebounds in the win.
• It was a weekend of new records and firsts for the Gee-Gees. On Friday, Chilton set his new career-high in his first start. On Saturday, Civil's 30 points was also a new career best. Camille Musuakala had his first career regular season points against Queen's on a three-pointer in the fourth quarter. Musuakala is in his third year with the program, seeing regular season game action once last year, he has seen action in seven games so far this year including preseason.
• The Gee-Gees continued their stellar defensive play this weekend. Ottawa leads the OUA in steals per game (11.8) and ranks second in points per game allowed (64.3).

UP NEXT

The Gee-Gees will take to the road again with one of the most taxing trips the OUA schedule has to offer. First, they will travel to Guelph for a battle with the Gryphons on Friday night at 8 p.m. They have a travel day on Saturday as they fly to Sault Ste. Marie for a Sunday matinee matchup with Algoma at 2 p.m.

Both games will be streaming live on OUA.tv