Ontario Tech rally in second half, but Gaels hold on for win
KINGSTON, Ont.— The Ontario Tech Ridgebacks men's basketball team faced a challenging battle, falling 86-79 to the Queen's Gaels in their first away game of 2025.
Despite a slow start, the Ridgebacks showed resilience and a commendable offensive effort led by Keon Baker, Ayub Nurhussien, and Zubair Seyed, who collectively scored 50 points.
The Ridgebacks stayed competitive in the first five minutes, but the Gaels gained momentum, leading 47-33 by halftime. Jesse Okeke was a standout on both ends, recording a double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds, along with five blocks.
Queen's Luka Syllas delivered a stellar performance, tallying a game-high 26 points, nine rebounds, and six steals. Despite trailing by as many as 19 points in the second quarter, Ontario Tech capitalized on strong shooting in the latter half, outscoring the Gaels in the third and fourth quarters. They closed the gap to within three points in the final minutes, with Baker adding a team-high 21 points.
Turnovers proved costly for the Ridgebacks, with 22 compared to Queen's 19. Ontario Tech demonstrated their depth, earning 42 points in the paint and 20 points off turnovers but fell short in a hard-fought finish.
The Ridgebacks will look to bounce back as they host the Brock Badgers this Friday at the Campus Recreation and Wellness Centre
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