LENNOXVILLE, QC
The Gaiters peaked just on time.
Bishop’s finished the regular season losing two of their final three games, but regrouped when it mattered most. Majid Naji and Jonathan Bermillo scored 18 points each as Bishop’s defeat McGill 68-63 on Saturday to win the RSEQ Final 4 and earn the league’s automatic spot at the CIS National Championship. The Gaiters (9-9) came in the RSEQ Final 4 as a No. 3 seed before beating second-seeded Laval University 76-65, and top-seeded McGill to extend their season. The two schools have met in the last three provincial title games, with McGill coming victorious each time. Bishop’s jumped on McGill quickly and managed to prevail this time. The Gaiters took a 55-35 lead with 2:24 to play in the third quarter. Then things got interesting. The Redmen pulled one of the biggest comebacks in championship game history when they tied the game at 60 a piece with 2:46 to play in the game. Jonathan Bermillo hit a 3 point shot to give Bishop’s a 63-60 lead. McGill responded seconds later on Noah Daoust 3 point shot. Senior forward Mike Andrews sanked a free-throw for Bishop’s with 1:20 left in the game, before Jonathan Bermillo hit the dagger with 39 seconds to play. The Redmen failed to score in the last 2:19 minutes of the game. Noah Daoust led all scorers for McGill with 17 points. Bishop’s goes back to CIS National after a 16 year drought. The last time the Gaiters made the national tournament they came back victorious.
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