MONTREAL – Game MVP Kyree Thompson scored 21 points off the bench as the visiting UPEI Panthers outlasted McGill 82-76 in men's preseason basketball to open the Redbirds Basketball Classic, a four-day tournament at Love Competition Hall, Thursday.
 
The result spoiled a 20-point performance by McGill's Noah Sincere and a double-double from teammate Georges Lefebvre, who merited player of the game honours for the Redbirds.
 
The Panthers led 23-16 after the opening quarter and 51-39 at halftime. McGill bounced back after the intermission, winning both the third quarter (23-22) and the final stanza (14-9).
 
Two glaring statistical categories stood out. UPEI benefitted from a favourable 25-13 advantage in turnovers. And the Panthers had a whopping 37 trips to the free-throw line where they came away with 27 points, compared to the Redbirds who went 13-for-17 from the charity stripe.
 
Thompson was one of four Panthers to reach double-digit scoring, along with Kamari Scott and Sam Chisolm, with 14 points apiece, and Tarrence Booker, who added 10.
 
Sincere, who was also credited with two rebounds and a pair of steals, shot a solid 6-for-7 from the field, including a 4-for-5 performance from downtown. He was also a perfect 4-for-4 from the line.
 
Lefebvre tallied 16 points and pulled down 10 rebounds to register his fifth double-double in nine preseason contests. The 6-foot-8 centre was 3-for-3 from distance and added a one blocked shot to go with a pair of assists.
 
Also scoring in double-digits for the Redbirds was sophomore Saransh Padhy, who had 15 points on 7-for-11 shooting.
 
The Redbirds connected on 43.1 per cent from the field (25/58), including 13 of 25 from three-point range. UPEI shot 39.7 per cent from the floor (23/58), going 9-for-23 from the arc.
 
McGill, which dropped to 2-7 in preseason play, will confront the Macalester College Scots, an NCAA Div. 3 program from St. Paul, Minn., on Friday at 8 p.m., then close out the tourney on Saturday against Laurentian, from Sudbury, Ont.

BOXSCORE

 
2024 McGILL BASKETBALL CLASSIC TOURNAMENT
 
MEN'S SCHEDULE
 
Oct. 17
UPEI 82, McGill 76
 
(GAME MVP: Kyree Thompson & Georges Lefebvre)
 
Oct. 18
4 pm UPEI vs Laurentian
8 pm Macalester College vs McGill
 
Oct. 19
3 pm Macalester College vs UPEI
7 pm Laurentian vs McGill
 
Oct. 20
12 pm Laurentian vs Macalester College
 
 
WOMEN'S SCHEDULE
 
Oct. 18
2 pm Laurentian vs StFX
6 pm UNBC vs McGill
 
Oct. 19
1 pm UNBC vs StFX
5 pm Laurentian vs McGill
 
Oct. 20
10 am Laurentian vs UNBC
2 pm StFX vs McGill
 

SOURCE
Earl Zukerman
Sports Information Officer
Athletics & Recreation
McGill University
CELL: 514-983-7012
E-MAIL:earl.zukerman@mcgill.ca