The Concordia Stingers won the 42nd annual Concordia-Nike men’s basketball tournament with a challenging 82-71 victory over the Wilfrid Laurier Golden Hawks at Concordia gym on Saturday afternoon.
Playing without their leader – all-star point guard Damian Buckley who was nursing a sore knee – the Stingers were in a see-saw battle with the Golden Hawks. Concordia was down 38-36 at halftime and was clinging to a narrow 59-57 lead after three quarters. A late run gave the Stingers the win.
Stinger centre Jamal Gallier was named the tournament MVP. He scored 16 points and picked up nine rebounds. Head coach John Dore predicted his big man would have a breakout year, and the six-foot-seven, 290-pound centre came through this weekend.
Also picking up big points were Andre Johnny with 19 and Dwayne Buckley with 16 points. Both were named to the tournament all-star team.
With 13 points centre Trevor Csima was the top scorer for Wilfrid Laurier.
Concordia defeated the Laurentian Voyageurs 91-65 on Friday night to advance to the championship game. Wilfrid Laurier romped over the Memorial Sea-Hawks 93-51 in the opening round.
Rounding out the all-star team were: Matas Tirilis, Laurentian; Jeremy Feist, Memorial and Kale Harrison from Wilfrid Laurier.
The Stingers head West next weekend for a tournament at University of Winnipeg.
