by John Austen

Basketball Stingers look for consistency

After three losses to open the season, the Concordia men’s basketball team rebounded with three straight wins before losing their two games last weekend — an 80-68 loss to Laval and a 77-69 setback at the hands of the Bishop’s Gaiters.

During their winning streak, the Stingers upset the No. 3-ranked Laval Rouge et Or 73-69 right in Ste. Foy. The Stingers took a 31-22 lead in the first half and held on. Rookie Patrick Perrotte led the way, scoring 19 points and adding seven rebounds. Veteran Gavin Musgrave chipped in with 13 points, while captain Dan Lacasse had 10 points.

The Stingers also defeated McGill 96-86 at Concordia Gym. Rastko Popovic was the big scorer with 26 points.

The women’s team has a 3-5 record after losing both weekend games — 70-55 to Laval, and 71-55 to Bishop’s.

Big ice win in Ottawa

The Stingers men’s hockey team kept their slim playoff hopes alive with a 6-3 win over the Gee-Gees in Ottawa last Sunday. Concordia sits last in the tough four-team division and must record 11 of a possible 12 points in their final six league games to have a chance of making the post season. Three of the four teams advance.

Concordia also took on McGill at the Pierrefonds Sportsplexe 4-Glaces on Saturday and lost 4-1 to their crosstown rivals.

“[Playing in the West Island] is good for us because we have a large student base in the West Island,” said Stinger head coach Kevin Figsby. “We also have a large number of players in our program from the West Island. I think it’s great that Concordia and McGill can work together to help minor hockey.”

Several Concordia players have West Island connections. Pat Theriault (Dorval), Derek Legault (Kirkland), Joey D’Amico (Lachine) and Mathieu Lendick (Ile Bizard) all played for the Lac St. Louis Midget AAA Lions. Also, Sean Tilley’s hockey career includes stops with North Shore hockey and John Abbott.

Athletes of the week

Dominique Rancour of the women’s hockey team and Patrick Perrotte of the men’s basketball team were recently named Concordia Stinger athletes of the week.

Rancour, a tenacious second-year centre, scored two goals including the game-winner in Concordia’s 6-3 victory over the No. 7-ranked Wilfrid Laurier Golden Hawks on Sunday. The Charlesbourg, native is a human relations major.

Perrotte, a native of Verdun, scored 19 points and collected seven rebounds in Concordia’s impressive 73-64 victory over the No. 3-ranked Laval Rouge et Or. He also chipped in 11 points and four rebounds in the Stingers 96-86 win over the McGill Redmen. He is a first-year leisure sciences major.