The entire bench came to play as the 6-1 Queen’s Gaels tipped off against the undefeated 8-0 Lakehead Thunderwolves at the ARC on Nov. 26.
Right from the tip-off, the Gaels set the tone with an aggressive full-court press, utilizing a trap defence—where two defenders double-team the ball handler—to disrupt the Thunderwolves’ offence and force early turnovers.
This strategy proved effective in the first quarter, as the Gaels forced eight turnovers that led to seven points and multiple fastbreak opportunities. However, their aggressive approach also led to defensive lapses, allowing the Thunderwolves to capitalize on uncontested, high-percentage scoring opportunities.
Around the six-minute mark, with the Gaels trailing 12-8, Head Coach Stephan Barrie opted for a full line substitution. This decision highlighted the theme of the game: the Gaels’ bench dominance. Outscoring Lakehead’s bench 36-24 overall, the Gaels’ reserves contributed an impressive 15 points in the first quarter alone.
Leading the charge, Jalen Sikkema, ArtSci ’28, chipped in five points, while Scott Jenkins, ConEd ’25, added six, including two highlight-reel three-pointers—one launched from nearly half court, electrifying the crowd.
However, the Thunderwolves capitalized on defensive miscalculations by the Gaels, closing the first quarter with a 26-24 lead.
Their offensive momentum carried into the second quarter, where the Thunderwolves took advantage of defensive mismatches and breakdowns to dominate the paint. Scoring 10 points in the paint, Lakehead extended their lead to 40-31 with five minutes left in the half.
Despite starting 0-6 from the field, star guard Ollie Engen, Kin ’28, displayed the resilience and mental toughness that defines a great player. Scoring 10 points in just half a quarter, Engen was instrumental in helping Queen’s close the gap, cutting the deficit to 48-46 by halftime.
The third quarter mimicked the first in its exciting back-and-forth nature. The Gaels were propelled by the strong scoring efforts of starting guards Luka Syllas, ConEd ’25, who tallied six points, and Engen, who added four. Their contributions helped Queen’s navigate Lakehead’s relentless paint penetration and sharp perimeter shooting, tying the game at 59 with three minutes remaining in the quarter.
With under two minutes remaining in the quarter, Tyson Lama, Comm ’28, showcased his relentless determination on the court. After grabbing a defensive rebound, Lama battled for two consecutive offensive boards, drawing a foul that sent him to the free throw line. He calmly sank both shots tying the game at 61 before returning to the line and delivering two more clutch free throws, giving the Gaels a 63-61 lead.
To close out the quarter, Sikkema epitomized the benefits of the Gaels’ full-court press strategy, coming up with a critical steal and converting it into a quick basket. His effort gave the Gaels a 65-63 lead heading into the fourth quarter.
The fourth quarter was all Gaels, kicking off with layups from Isaac Krueger, ArtSci ’25, and Aaron Tennant, Law ’25, quickly extending their lead to six points.
After suring the 1,000-point milestone in his Gaels career on Friday night—securing his place as the eighth-highest scorer in Queen’s Men’s Basketball history—Syllas continued to shine in the fourth quarter.
Syllas’s defensive energy, a testament to his role as a clear leader on and off the court, inspired a strong collective effort from the entire team to close out the game. He solidified the Gaels’ lead with two crafty left-handed finishes, including a converted and-1, extending their advantage to 12 points with five minutes remaining and bringing his total to a team-high 17 points on the game.
Lakehead made a determined push to close the gap, but the Gaels’ relentless team defence held firm. Crucial steals by Sikkema and Lama disrupted Lakehead’s momentum in the final minutes, allowing Queen’s to maintain control and claim a hard-fought 84-79 victory, marking their third straight win over the Thunderwolves dating back to the 2022-23 season.
The Gaels’ success was driven by standout performances from their core players. Syllas led the way with 17 points and three rebounds, while Engen contributed 16 points and seven rebounds. Off the bench, Jenkins and Sikkema made a significant impact. Jenkins delivered 13 points, including three clutch three-pointers, while Sikkema added 11 points and a game-high four steals.
The Gaels will look to extend their winning streak on Nov. 29 in North York, Ont. against the York Lions, tipping off at 8 p.m.
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