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March 1, 2019 | Basketball (W)

Rookie star Myriam Leclerc was dominant in the RSEQ semifinal game.Rookie star Myriam Leclerc was dominant in the RSEQ semifinal game.

Concordia, Laval in epic battle for RSEQ basketball title

For the second time in three years, head coach Tenicha Gittens and the Concordia Stingers have advanced to the RSEQ women's basketball championship game.

The Stingers defeated the McGill Martlets 62-55 in the semifinals on Wednesday night before a capacity crowd at Concordia Gym to earn their place in the championship. Rookie sensation Myriam Leclerc had 28 points and Caroline Task chipped in with 14 points.

This year’s title game will be played in Quebec City against the Laval Rouge et Or on Saturday at 6 p.m.

Laval is the No. 2-ranked team in U SPORTS. The team finished in first place in the RSEQ with a 15-1 win-loss record. The Rouge et Or defeated the fourth-place UQAM Citadins 68-63 on Wednesday to advance to the final.

Concordia finished second in the Quebec conference with a 10-6 record. The Stingers were ranked in the Top 10 for 12 of 13 weeks this season and peaked at No. 2 for three weeks. They wrapped up the season in the No. 10 spot.

The Rouge et Or won all four contests between the teams, but Concordia took them to the limit in the final meeting of the regular season. Laval eked out a 72-70 victory on Feb. 21.

“We played a really good game last time,” explained Stinger head coach Tenicha Gittens. “We feel pretty confident that we can compete and win. It should be fun. It will be a very competitive, high-energy game. We play a similar style. We’re push tempo teams and D up really well.

“It will come down to defence and who gets the stops. If it’s a close game and it comes down to possession, we’ll be ready.”

The last time the teams met in the playoffs, Concordia emerged victorious. In 2017, the fourth-place Stingers pulled off an epic upset, taking down the top ranked Rouge et Or 69-65 in the semifinals. In the RSEQ final, McGill defeated Concordia 63-51.

The winner of Saturday night’s game will advance to the U SPORTS Final 8 championship hosted by Ryerson University in Toronto March 7-10.

Playoff Schedule

RSEQ championship - Saturday, March 2 - 6 p.m – Concordia at Laval

PEPS de l’Université Laval

2300 de la Terrasse, l’Université Laval, Quebec City

Webcast

https://www.youtube.com/user/RougeEtOr

Buy Tickets Here