Box Score
MONTREAL -- Tournament all-star Mariam Sylla posted another one of her patented "double-doubles" as McGill toppled the Wildrid Laurier Golden Hawks 82-55 to sweep the 21st annual Redbird Classic invitational women's basketball tournament at Love Competition Hall, Sunday.
 
The Martlets had defeated Victoria 84-66 on Friday, followed by a 79-55 victory over Thompson Rivers University, Saturday.
 
It marked the team's third Redbird Classic title in as many years. Other recent tourney wins include the Naismith Classic in 2010, the UNB Helen Campbell Classic in 2007 and Redbird Classic again in 2006. "I am happy with result," offered McGill bench boss Ryan Thorne. "We are progressing well. I think there are some things to clean up but the season is still early."
 
McGill jumped out of the gate to lead 26-13 after the first quarter, before Laurier battled back and cut the deficit to 40-31 by halftime. The Martlets, however, were too strong and and too tall. They went into cruise control in the second half, outscoring the Golden Hawks 28-16 and 14-8 over the final two frames.
 
Sylla, a 6-foot-1 forward from Guinea, was 7-for-16 in field-goals and 4-for-5 from the foul-line. "She was agressive today," noted Thorne. "Laurier was outmatched in szie so it was a game she could dominate." Over the three games, Sylla racked up 43 points and 30 rebounds, to go along with 10 assists, four steals and a blocked shot. She shot 48.4 per cent from the field (16/33) and made 11 of 18 free-throws.
 
Teammates Alex Kiss-Rusk and Jennifer Silver also reached double digits in scoring tailing 13 and 12, respectively. Kiss-Rusk, a 6-foot-4 junior centre from Montreal, shot 6-for-13 from the field and 1-for-1 from the line. She added eight rebounds, three blocks and one steal.  Silver, another third year big from Montreal, came off the bench to shoot an impressive 5-for-10 from the floor and a perfect 2-for-2 from the charity stripe.
 
Also joining Sylla on the all-tournament team was senior point guard and team captain Dianna Ros, who was named tournament MVP after registering 31 points, 12 assists 8 rebounds, three steals and a block over the three days. A native Montrealer, the 5-foot-6 floor general shot 27.0 per cent from the field (10/37), 39.1 from three-point range (9/23) and dropped two of her four three-throws. "It was her overall leadership and the fact that things run so much smoother when she is out there," confided Thorne. "She is efficient and always makes sure we get what is needed."
 
Top scorer for Laurier was tourney all-star Nicole Maorrison with 17 points.
 
The Martlets are now a perfect 4-0 against CIS opponents in preseason play and will now switch their focus to the start of the RSEQ season which begins on Nov. 6 at 7 p.m. with McGill hosting Laval.

21st ANNUAL McGILL REDBIRD BASKETBALL CLASSIC

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

Saturday, Oct. 17, 2015
Victoria 80, Laurier 59
McGill 79, Thompson Rivers 55

Sunday, Oct. 18, 2015
Victoria 87, Thompson Rivers 81
McGill 82, Laurier 55 

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McGill Redbird Classic All-Tournament Team
 
Mariam Sylla (McGill)
Nicole Morisson (Laurier)
Amira Giannattasio (Victoria)
Jenna Bugiardini (Victoria)
Dianna Ros (McGill) TOURNEY MVP
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FOR MORE INFO:
 
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