On the evening of Jan. 24, first-year guard Quarry Whyne scored 21 points to help McGill men’s basketball (5-4) come back from a 15-point deficit and defeat the Bishop’s Gaiters (3-9) 84-80. The crowd, decked out in Hawaiian shirts and flip-flops for McGill Athletics’ annual Beach Night, fostered an exciting atmosphere throughout the game. The two teams delivered an exciting contest but, it was McGill players who came out on top to earn a second win over Bishop’s following the Martlets’ earlier 57-39 victory.

The McGill men’s team started slowly. Bishop’s scored three quick three-pointers in the opening minutes to go ahead by a score of 9-1. However, a layup by McGill fifth-year forward Noah Daoust and a dunk from fellow fifth-year guard Avery Cadogan gave the team—and the crowd—new life, and they caught up to the Gaiters to enter the second frame behind by only one point. Throughout the night, McGill continued to lose ground, only to regain momentum and cut into the Gaiters’ advantage again.

In the second quarter, the Gaiters took several sizable leads, and McGill responded with successful offensive drives of their own to bring the lead back within a few points each time. As the quarter wore on, a series of baskets gave Bishop’s a 45-35 lead that they carried into halftime.

Bishop’s built on their lead early in the third quarter. Consecutive three-pointers in the opening minutes put the Gaiters ahead by a comfortable 15 points. However, this moment was the turning point in McGill’s favour; the home team scored basket after basket in the following minutes. With 53 seconds remaining in the quarter, Whyne hit a pair of free throws to even the match at 64 points apiece heading into the final frame.

The last 10 minutes played out much like the rest of the game had: Bishop’s built a lead, only for McGill to come back and draw even or take the lead. With the score sitting at 80-74 for the Gaiters and a minute left on the clock, a three-point shot and a technical free throw from Cadogan brought McGill within two points. Finally, Whyne sunk a three-point shot with 27 seconds remaining, giving McGill a one-point lead that they would hold onto for their fourth win of the season.

Head Coach David DeAveiro spoke to his team’s resiliency.

“This is a young, young group,” DeAveiro said. “They’ve shown that they don’t quit, that they play right to the end, regardless of time or score.”

McGill has a relatively youthful squad, with all but four players playing in their first or second year. Whyne, who is already emerging as a star, is one of those first-year athletes.

“It was a good game,” Whyne said. “We need these wins so that [Bishop’s] cannot be in the playoffs, so it was a big game for them and us.”

Cadogan, a team veteran, is satisfied with the younger players’ performance thus far in the season and is sure that they will continue to be successful after he graduates.

“I have the utmost confidence in the future of our young guys,” Cadogan said. “They all have plenty of potential. They’re just getting the experience right now, which I’m sure will be valuable for their future.”

In the rematch at Bishop’s on Jan. 26, McGill won by a score of 66-58. They will host the Laval Rouge et Or (4-5) on Jan. 31.

Moment of the Game

The crowd erupted when Whyne sunk his game-winning basket with 27 seconds to play.

Quotable

“The playoffs are a long way away. When we get there, we want to make sure that we’re playing the best that we can.” – Head Coach David DeAveiro on McGill’s plans as the postseason approaches.

Stat Corner

Quarry Whyne scored a season-high 21 points, nearly tripling his previous record at McGill of eight points.