RECAP: #3 Ottawa powers to dominant road win over #4 Queen’s

Bouncing back from a loss in the Capital Hoops Classic on Friday, the nationally third-ranked Gee-Gees men's basketball team defeated the fourth-ranked Queen's Gaels in dominant fashion 82-52 on Sunday afternoon.

With the Gaels adjusting to an injury shortened roster, Ottawa was able to log a key win in the playoff race by claiming the potential tiebreaker over Queen's. The win puts the Gee-Gees first in the OUA East, with one more game played than Carleton and the Gaels.

The Gaels started strong in the game, battling to an early 14-13 lead after the first quarter. In the second, the Ottawa offence came to life, taking a lead that they would not relinquish for the remainder of the game.

The Gee-Gees' defensive pressure made matters difficult for the Gaels, as Queen's coughed up 21 turnovers that Ottawa converted into 11 points.

In the final frame, the Gee-Gees outscored the Gaels 24-9 to put the exclamation point on the win and avenge a 76-62 loss at the hands of Queen's a week prior. 

STATS AT A GLANCE

Five Ottawa players finished in double-figures, with Kevin Otoo (17 pts. / 5 reb. / 3 stl.) and Guillaume Pépin (17 pts. / 3 reb. / 1 stl.) leading the way. Dragan Stajic had a near triple-double effort with 11 points, 10 assists, and nine rebounds. Cole Newton (13 pts. / 5 ast. / 4 reb.) and Jacques-Mélaine Guemeta (10 pts. / 6 reb.) rounded out other notable performances for the Gee-Gees. 

In all, Ottawa hit 13 three pointers and took care of business at the free throw line, going 11-13 as a team in the win.

UP NEXT

The Gee-Gees will return to Montpetit Hall for the final time in the regular season for divisional matchups with Nipissing (5-13) and Laurentian (3-15). The latter is Seniors Night, celebrating the Gee-Gees' graduating players. Tickets are available at tickets.geegees.ca.

Ottawa will have one final OUA matchup with a Wednesday night duel with Carleton in the Bytown Battle at the Ravens' Nest on Feb. 15.