QUEBEC CITY – Rookie Cameron Elliot of Ottawa scored a career-high 19 points and dished out a game-high nine assists, as visiting McGill rallied in the second quarter to conquer Laval 88-67 in men's basketball action at the Centre PEPS, Friday.  
 
It was the sixth straight league victory for McGill, which improved 7-1 in the RSEQ conference and further solidified their top spot in Quebec league standings with a six-point bulge over second-place Concordia (4-2), although the Stingers hold two games in hand. McGill swept all four regular season meetings with Laval for the second time in three years.
 
The Rouge et Or fell to 0-7 on the season and have now lost 12 straight league games dating back to a 73-65 win over McGill on Feb. 9, 2019.
 
In a reversal of roles from a hard-fought battle on Thursday in Montreal, Laval had a strong start, taking a 24-15 lead after the opening quarter. But the visitors roared back before halftime, posting a 43-34 advantage and extended the margin to a comfortable 64-47 score after three before winning the final frame 24-20.
 
Elliot, a 6-foot-4 guard, shot 7-for-17 from the field, including 5-for-13 from long range. The 18-year-old management freshman also pulled down seven rebounds in 31 minutes of court time.
 
Others to reach double figures in scoring for McGill, with 16 points apiece, was junior guard Sam Jenkins of Hamilton, Ont., and JJ Hamel-Carey, a physical education junior from Montreal North, who came off the bench to net a career-high.
 
Teammate Jamal Mayali of Toronto caused headaches for Laval's defence once more. The political science junior collected 15 points in 31 minutes played. It marked his fifth consecutive outing of 30 minutes or more, including tournament play.
 
Sidney Tremblay-Lacombe and Vladimir Thomas led Laval's attack, with each collecting 21 points, while Steeve Joseph rounded out their double digit tally with 11.
 
McGill, which had a 41-37 edge in rebounding, shot 42.9 per cent from the floor (33/77), including an 12-for-38 effort from three-point range. Laval shot 37.5 from the field (24/64) and went 13-for-19 from downtown.
 
McGill (7-1) now prepares for a cross-town visit to UQAM (3-3) on Thursday (Jan. 16). Tip-off is scheduled for 8 p.m. At the same time, the Rouge et Or (0-7) will travel to Bishop's (2-3) looking to halt their seven-game plummet.
 
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