Martlet Basketball (6–8) lost in a thrilling double-overtime match on Feb. 6 against the Bishop’s Gaiters (8–5) by a final score of 77–69.

The first quarter started with Bishop’s gaining a steady lead over McGill. A three-pointer from fifth-year guard Geraldine Cabillo-Abante got the Martlets back into the game, and they owned a 12–9 lead at the end of the first quarter. The Martlets held this lead through the end of the half, ahead by a score of 27–24. 

After half-time, however, the tide turned against the Martlets. Bishop’s was back in front 42–40 at the end of the third quarter. The Gaiters carried on this momentum into the fourth quarter, exposing holes in McGill’s defence. The Martlets trailed 44–50 with only five minutes remaining in the fourth quarter but later reduced the deficit to three points (53–56) with only 15 seconds to play. A brilliant shot from second-year guard Delphine Robitaille tied the score at 56 with a three-pointer at the buzzer. 

The game went into overtime, where both teams put up a good effort for the full five minutes. One overtime period was not enough to separate the two sides, however, and the game went to a second with a 63–63 score. Bishop’s dominated in the second overtime, taking the win with a final score of 77–69.

Martlets Head Coach Ryan Thorne was disappointed with the team’s performance, citing a need for more disciplined play.

“We had 32 turnovers in the game, and I think that is ridiculous,” Thorne said. “We let them dictate what was going to happen. We gave up offensive rebounds. They had 16 offensive rebounds, [and] they were better than us. We had a game plan, [but] so many times in the game, we did not execute it.” 

Cabillo-Abante agreed that the team did not adhere to the game plan.

“If we are not sticking to the plan, then that’s going to hurt us,” Cabillo-Abante said.  

Robitaille noted the importance of perseverance in close games.

“Basketball is a game full of ups and downs,” Robitaille said. “When you are down, it’s not a matter of staying down. It’s what you do to get back up. We fought, but not [until] the end.”

The Martlets next play at home when they face cross-town rival Concordia (4–9) on Feb. 15. 

Moment of the game

With only three seconds left in the fourth quarter and the Martlets down by three, fifth-year guard Gladys Hakizimana hauled in a critical offensive rebound and found second-year guard Delphine Robitaille behind the line to drain a stunning three-pointer and send the game to overtime.

Quotable

“I think [the players and the fans] have different viewpoints on what the game was. The fans see this as an exciting game. Double overtime, that’s exciting. But […] I do not think we played well.” – Head Coach Ryan Thorne on the team’s performance. 

Stat Corner

McGill shot a sweltering 37 per cent from three and 91.7 per cent from the free throw line, but 32 per cent on field goals was too poor to overcome.