Graduating seniors Patrick Perrotte and Benjamin Sormonte led the Concordia Stingers men’s basketball team to a 95-92 victory over the UBC Thunderbirds in the consolation final at the CIS nationals in Halifax this afternoon.
Sormonte, who was named player of the game, was the Stingers’ leading scorer with 23 points and five rebounds. Perrotte, a first team CIS all-Canadian, scored 20 points and hauled in 12 rebounds for the double-double.
After the exciting last-second victory the team gathered around Perrotte and Sormonte paying tribute to their leaders and savoring their last moments together on the court.
“They are both terrific people,” said Concordia head coach John Dore in the emotional moments right after the game. “They have both had terrific careers. We’re really glad they get to go out with a win.”
“It was important for us to finish on a high-note, maybe prove that we deserved better than fifth place,” said Sormonte, a guard from Aix-en-Provence, France. “It’s especially nice for Pat and myself, we’re the only two guys wearing the Stingers colors for the last time.”
The torch will be passed and any number of players can take over the leadership of the Stingers. Dwayne Buckley, the Quebec defensive player of the year, and younger brother Damian proved they have the qualities to step up. Dwayne had 12 points and six rebounds while Damian chipped in with 19 points and six assists.
The Stingers led the Thunderbirds, who were the No. 2-ranked team in the CIS, 46-41 at the half.
