Queen’s basketball teams put in excellent showings at the U SPORTS national championships over the weekend, with the men capturing the silver medal and the women finishing up fourth. At the OUA finals, the men’s volleyball also won a silver medal and will now host the national event.

Men’s Basketball 

The Gaels lost to the host Laval Rouge et Or 77-71 in the U SPORTS Men's Final 8 Basketball Championship Sunday in Quebec City, capturing the silver medals, the best finish in program history.

"The disappointment is at the forefront right now and I'm sure we'll have a lot of time in the next little bit to look at the historical perspective and all the pride and will rise to the forefront," said Queen's head coach Steph Barrie.

Following a strong start from Laval, the Gaels battled back to take a four-point lead into half time. The lead would go back and fourth throughout the third and fourth quarters, but the hosts were able to take the edge in the final minutes and hold on.

Luka Syllas led the Gaels offensively, pouring in 23 points. Brother Cole Syllas was named Queen's Player of the Game after recording a double-double, finishing with 17 points and 13 rebounds. Cole was also named a tournament All-Star after the game.

Women’s basketball

The Gaels fell to the Laval Rouge et Or 76-62 in the bronze medal game at the U SPORTS Women's Final 8 Basketball Championship in Edmonton on Sunday.

With the loss, the Gaels finished in fourth place nationally.

Julia Chadwick led the way for the Gaels with 18 points while adding eight rebounds. Emma Weltz also finished the game scoring in double digits, recording 11 points.

The tournament marked the third straight appearance at the national championships for the Gaels, having claimed the silver medal in 2023 and the bronze in 2022.

Men’s volleyball

The Gaels are silver medalists after falling to the McMaster Marauders 3-2 (25-18, 22-25, 23-25, 25-12, 15-12) in a five-set instant classic in the OUA Forsyth Cup Championship Friday night in Hamilton.

After the Marauders took the first set, Queen's fought back to take the next two to put McMaster on the ropes. But the Marauders would take the fourth set and edge the Gaels in a close fifth set for the victory and OUA Championship.

Erik Siksna had a strong performance for Queen's, finishing with a team-high 13 kills while adding six digs. Zig Licis had 11 kills while Reed Venning finished with nine kills and six digs.

Queen’s will now host the U SPORTS Men's Volleyball Championship from March 14-17 at the Athletics and Recreation Centre. Tickets for the national championship are on sale now on the Queen's Gaels Tickets website.

The Gaels are the No. 5 seed and open the tournament against the No. 4 seed Trinity Western Spartans on Thursday March 14 at 6 p.m.

For more information, check out the U SPORTS Men's Volleyball Championship page.