MONTREAL – Lily Rose Chatila scored a dozen points and Daniella Mbengo added 10 as the red-hot McGill University women's basketball team extended its win streak to five in league play with a 68-36 conquest over the visiting UQAM Citadins at Love Competition Hall, Saturday.
 
It is the Martlets longest victory streak in seven years, dating back to 2017-18 when they won seven in a row after losing their season opener.
 
The result improved McGill's stellar record to 6-2 and perhaps more importantly, moved the Martlets into a share of first place with Laval (6-1) in the RSEQ conference, although the Rouge et Or do hold a game in hand.
 
"We have gone through a difficult time over the last few years, so getting to first place at this point in the season, makes this particular win a little sweeter," said McGill head coach Rikki Bowles, who was beaming with pride. "It was tough for the coaching staff and the athletes, but they stuck with me and (helped turn around) this program. And to see them come around full circle, makes it that much more special."

McGill, which had a favourable 30-17 advantage in turnovers, also had a commanding 47-36 edge in rebounding. The Martlets held UQAM to just four points in both, the first and third quarters, leading 12-4 after the first stanza, 31-17 at halftime and 52-21 after three. They took the final quarter 16-15, with much of the bench in the game.
 
All 12 players who dressed for McGill registered at least a point on the scoresheet. It marked the first time in more than 11 years that a dozen Martlets had scored in a regular season game, dating back to a 70-39 win over visiting Bishop's on Nov. 28, 2013.

The 12 points by Chatila was the lowest game high in a regular season McGill victory since Jan. 19, 2023, when Sydney Foran led the Red and White with just nine in a 55-54 decision over Laval.

One of the keys to victory was 6-foot-1 rookie Erica Simeone, a pre-med freshman from Montreal, who tallied eight points and pulled down a game-high 10 rebounds in 16 minutes of court time. Defensively, she also pilfered the ball twice and added a blocked shot.
 
"Erica was really good today, efficient offensively and did a great job on the offensive glass," said Bowles. "And also for things that aren't on the stat sheet. She helped our defensive play and was in the right spot at the right time."
 
The Martlets, who trailed only once, early in the game, won easily despite a tepid 35.7 per cent success rate in shooting from the field (25/70). They went 9-for-36 from long distance and made nine of 19 free-throws.
 
UQAM shooters were even colder, connecting on 28.6 per cent from the floor (14/49). They shot 2-for-14 from the arc and went 6-for-8 from the line.
 
UQAM starter Marie Bethel scored 10 points and teammate Laurence St-Jean-Fournier added 10 off the bench. The next closest member of the Citadins had only five.
 
"UQAM has two really talented first-year athletes who are averaging around 15 points per game… so that was sort of our focus, zeroing in on them," Bowles noted. "I was happy with our defensive play overall, we limited them to just four points in two of the four quarters. We were really locked in and they had to work for everything they got.

"Offensively, it wasn't our best shooting day but I was a shooter when I played (at McGill). I'm of the mindset that the percentages will work themselves out, so I want out group to be confident. We did a better job in the second half against their zone (defence), getting (the ball) to the short corner and the high post, so that we're not just shooting threes. We had a good mix of that, and I was happy with that part of our game."

McGill has won all three confrontations against UQAM this season and improved to 57-35 lifetime.  The two teams are scheduled to cross paths once more, in the final regular season contest on Feb. 22 at UQAM.
 
The Martlets will now go from an inner-city rivalry to a more intense cross-town home-and-home feud with Concordia. They will meet at the Currie Gym on Thursday, Jan. 16, in a 6 p.m. tip-off, followed two days later by a matinee rendezvous at the John Dore Court on the west end campus. McGill swept the first two meetings, winning 66-55 at home and 58-48 on the road.
 
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RSEQ STATS & STANDINGS

U SPORTS STATS & STANDINGS

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