KINGSTON, Ont. –  The Ridgebacks men's basketball team's season has come to an end with a 64-62 OUA Semifinals loss to the Queen's Gaels.
 
Playing through an aggressive first half, the Ridgebacks broke down the Gaels' press with consistent ball movement and shot execution. Raeshaun Ambris and Tombe Pitia protected the back court with five blocks and 18 rebounds combined. Emmanuel Okonkwo and Zubair Seyed showed their defensive efforts with 12 and 21 points. 
 
 The Ridegbacks kept the low-scoring game close, leading by three at halftime. Despite seeing a Gaels run that put them down by in the fourth, the Ridgebacks climbed back to put the game within one with two minutes left. Seyed executed a three-point play with 47 seconds left, followed by a three to be up one with 21 seconds left. 
 
Ollie Engen, Queen's top scorer, answered with an additional two points to put his total to 26, followed by an assist to AJ Cummings for three. Queen's found one final push to finish the game, with Luka Syllas converting off an and-one layup to put the Gaels up by 2 with 8 seconds left. 
 
With a historic season, the Ridgebacks faced adversity but pushed through to clinch a playoff spot and make it the farthest they have in program history.