The Men’s Basketball team clinched a spot in the OUA semifinals with a thrilling comeback, edging the 15-7 Carleton Ravens 86-83 on Feb. 22 at the ARC.
The Gaels split the regular-season series against the Ravens 1-1, falling 72-92 on Feb. 1 before bouncing back with an 85-81 victory on Feb. 14.
A sluggish start saw Queen’s miss their first four field goal attempts. Coupled with their failure to cash in from the three-point line, the Gaels found themselves behind 10 points at the end of the first quarter.
Although Queen’s defensive pressure forced numerous turnovers, the Ravens—facing Coach Barrie’s “System” for the third time this season—remained composed, knocking down several key three-pointers throughout the first and second. However, the Gaels eventually found their rhythm offensively, with Ollie Engen, Kin ’28, draining back-to-back fading midrange shots.
Relentless defensive pressure from the Gaels began to take its toll on the Ravens. Though Carleton managed to hold onto the lead heading into halftime, their advantage was quickly vanishing, reduced to just 37-44 by the end of the second quarter.
Coming back from the halftime break, the Gaels swiftly erased the seven-point deficit. AJ Cummings, ArtSci ’26, and Tyson Lama, Comm ’28, both assisted in securing offensive rebounds, with Luka Syllas, ArtSci ’25, hitting a huge pull-up three to give the Gaels their first lead of the game.
Showing no signs of slowing down in their biggest game of the season, the Gaels erupted for 29 points in the third quarter alone. Syllas led the charge, finishing the night with a game-high 29 points.
By the end of the third quarter, the Gaels flipped the script, carrying a 66-60 lead into final frame.
Queen’s opened the fourth with a momentous dunk from Aaron Tennant, Law ’25, and with less than a minute remaining in the game, the Gaels found themselves up only one point.
After Engen was sent to the free-throw line and calmly knocked down both shots, the Gaels extended their lead to 86-83, giving the Ravens one last chance to tie the game.
Just before the buzzer rang loudly throughout the ARC, the Ravens’ final shot rang louder off the rim, sealing an 86-83 victory for the Gaels and punching their ticket to the OUA semifinals.
The Gaels will face off against the Ontario Tech Ridgebacks on Mar. 1 at the ARC. Queen’s has already beaten the Ridgebacks twice this season, once on Jan. 15, 99-78, and again on Jan. 18, 86-79.
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