RECAP: #1 Gee-Gees down Waterloo, earn key win in battle with #4 Laurier

The U SPORTS top-ranked Gee-Gees men's basketball team earned two key home wins over Waterloo and #4 Laurier at Montpetit Hall on Friday and Saturday.

On Friday, Ottawa secured a 63-46 victory over Waterloo before defeating Laurier on Saturday by a 75-67 final tally.

Jacques-Mélaine Guemeta and Justin Ndjock-Tadjore led the Gee-Gees' offensive charge against Waterloo. Guemeta contributed 14 points to go along with five rebounds in his return to action from an illness that sidelined him for three weeks. Ndjock-Tadjore had 14 points and three rebounds, while Brock Newton added 13 points and four steals in the win.

In a tightly contested matchup with the Golden Hawks on Saturday, the Gee-Gees battled to an impressive win over a tough Laurier team.

Brock Newton led Ottawa with a stellar 23-point effort that included four assists and three rebounds in the win. Guemeta was outstanding once again adding 17 points including five three-pointers as well as five rebounds.

With the wins, Ottawa continues to maintain control atop the OUA East and overall OUA standings heading into a crucial final stretch of the regular season.

WHAT THEY'RE SAYING:

"Once I was subbed out for the first time, it finally clicked that I was back. After that, I was able to turn my mind to game mode. Yesterday was just getting my mind ready for today [against Laurier]," – said Jacques-Mélaine Guemeta on his return to action.

"Laurier has some of the best scoring guards in the country, I thought we locked in and got some stops when we needed them. There was buzz around this game, #1 versus #4 and that's how the game played out, a grind it out, playoff style defensive battle. I love it, it was a great game." – Gee-Gees head coach James Derouin.

UP NEXT:

The Gee-Gees will face the Carleton Ravens at the Capital Hoops Classic on Friday at the Arena at TD Place.

Tip-off is scheduled for 8 p.m. and tickets are still available at: https://www.ticketmaster.ca/2024-capital-hoops-classic-ottawa-ontario-02-02-2024/event/31005F94C9AE34FA