In a prime showing of athleticism and speed, the University of Ottawa Gee-Gees grinded their way to a bronze medal finish over the University of Prince Edward Island Panthers, winning 86–70 in the U Sports men's national basketball tournament on Sunday morning at War Memorial Gym.
The Gee-Gees won the tip-off, but failed to capitalize on a scoring opportunity. The teams traded possession in a series of fast breaks, with Ottawa breaking onto the scoreboard first with a layup by Jacques-Mélaine Guemeta.
Both teams kept their foot on the gas throughout the first quarter in a flashy display of full-court offence. In that spirit, Dragan Stajic stripped the ball and pitched a baseball-style pass down court to a hungry Justin Ndjock-Tadjore, going high off the glass and sending Gee-Gee fans in the stands to their feet. While the Panthers led 16–14 at the end of the quarter, the atmosphere would have you believe that it was tied.
Panthers guard Hugo Bermejo opened the scoring in the second, drawing a foul on a layup that saw a four person close out from the Gee-Gees defence. The teams went back-and-forth with tensions flaring from the Panthers bench, with coach Darrell Glenn incensed at a foul call on Daniel Gonzalez Longarela.
Ottawa’s Brock Newton confounded the Panthers defence a minute and a half into the second, scoring on a low-post pump fake isolation —Ottawa's crowning play in the tight quarter. With 20 seconds left, Kamari Scott responded by drawing a foul on a determined drive to the basket. At half, Ottawa held a slim 41–34 lead.
UPEI came into the second half with a 7–0 run to equalize the game, highlighted by a big-time three-pointer from Kyree Thompson. Soon after, Stajic fired back, crossing over his defender for a key three.
Then, the stands erupted as Thompson went on to block an open three-pointer, flying in on a switch from the top of the key to prevent Ottawa from making good on their elite ball motion. However, Ottawa’s Ankit Choudhary had none of it, walking away with a grin after scoring a three with a minute left in the quarter — reminding UPEI that the game was anyone’s. Ottawa took the quarter with little breathing room, leading 63–60.
The fourth opened up tensely, with both teams tightening their defences. Facing a wall of Panther arms in the paint, Ndjock-Tadjore consistently found his way downhill and to the rim. He would go on to be named Player of the Game in an effort that included 22 points, 5 assists and 3 rebounds while shooting 62.5 per cent — an effort that impressed Gee-Gees head coach James Derouin.
“He was on such a tear through the OUA playoffs so it was great to see him have a bounce back,” said Derouin.
The Gee-Gees began to pull away, picking away at the Panthers’ diminishing confidence. In the end, Ottawa took bronze with a final score of 86–70. While not the prize they may have wanted going into the tournament, it was still a rewarding moment for the Gee-Gees.
“You think ahead to these potential moments in the bronze,” said Derouin. “It’s why you get here on time and why you prep.”
This article is part of our 2025 Final 8 coverage. Follow us at @UbysseySportson X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram, as well as @theubyssey on TikTok, to follow our U Sports basketball coverage starting March 12.
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