Box Score
MONTREAL -- Alex Kiss-Rusk of Beaconsfield, Que., collected a "double-double" leading McGill to an impressive 84-66 over the visiting Victoria Vikes in the opening round of the 21st Redbird Classic women's basketball tournament at Love Competition Hall, Friday.

The preseason tourney kicked off earlier in the day with the Laurier Golden Hawks edging the Thompson Rivers WolfPack 60-58.

McGill's victory over the Vikes avenged a 79-41 loss in their last meeting 17 years ago, back on Dec. 29, 1998. 

The Martlets led 23-20 after the opening quarter and 47-30 at the half. They let Victoria back in the game after the intermission, holding onto a 64-55 advantage after three, then stepped on the gas pedal in the final frame, outscoring the Vikes 20-11 down the stretch. McGill had a stunning 43-14 edge in rebounds, a 6-3 margin in blocked shots. The score could have been more lopsided but McGill committed 20 turnovers, compared to only eight for the Vikes who were credited with a dozen steals.

Kiss-Rusk, a 6-foot-4 centre, scored 16 points and grabbed a game-high 14 rebounds to go along with three blocked shots in 28 minutes of court time. The psychology junior shot a stellar 8-for-11 from the field.

She was one of four Martlets to reach double figures in scoring, along with veterans Dianna Ros (13), Mariam Sylla (11) and Gabriela Hebert (11). Teammates Marika Guerin and Geraldine Cabillo-Abante added nine and eight, respectively.

Leading the way for Victoria was Jenna Bugiardini and Amira Giannattasio with 19 and 18, respectively.

McGill shot 40 per cent from the floor (26/65), 42.9 from three-point range (3/7) and dropped 11 of 16 free-throws, compared to Victoria, which shot 45.2, 41.7 and 66.7, respectively.

The Martlets, who improved to 4-5 overall and 2-0 aganst CIS opponents, will confront Thompson Rivers, which owns a 1-2 record vs CIS teams, on Saturday at 5 p.m.


21st ANNUAL McGILL REDBIRD BASKETBALL CLASSIC

WOMEN"S SCHEDULE
Friday, Oct. 16, 2015
4 pm Laurier 60, Thompson Rivers 58
6 pm McGill 84, Victoria 66

Saturday, Oct. 17, 2015
3 pm Laurier vs Victoria
5 pm Thompson Rivers vs McGill

Sunday, Oct. 18, 2015
10 am Thompson Rivers vs Victoria
12 pm Laurier vs McGill

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MEN"S NON-CONFERENCE GAMES:
Saturday, Oct. 17, 2015
7 pm York vs McGill Redmen

Sunday, Oct. 18, 2015
2 pm Waterloo vs McGill Redmen


SOURCE:
 
Earl Zukerman
Communications Officer
Athletics & Recreation
McGill University
514-398-7012 (Tel.)
MOBILE SITE: http://mcgillathletics.ca/mobile/index.aspx
WEBSITE: www.mcgillathletics.ca
TWITTER: @EarlZukerman
E-MAIL: earl.zukerman@mcgill.ca
McGILL VARSITY COMPOSITE CALENDAR:
www.mcgillathletics.ca/calendar.aspx