A Test of Resilience on Canadian Soil
In a tightly contested matchup on Saturday night in Montreal, the Bucknell Bison edged out Queen's University 78-74, securing their second straight win on Canadian soil. The victory came after the team built a ten-point lead in the fourth quarter before withstanding a late rally from the hosts.
The win was anchored by strong performances from senior forward Aleksander Pachucki, who poured in 18 points, and bench contributor Kyle Marshall, who added 11 points. Rocco Lamuno also made his presence felt with 10 points and a career-high eight steals, underscoring his defensive impact.
Bucknell shot 43.1 percent from the field and knocked down 10 of 34 three-point attempts, while the defense forced 26 turnovers, turning them into 35 of the Bison’s 78 points. The team’s ability to convert turnovers proved decisive in the closing minutes.
Head coach John Griffin III praised the squad’s resilience, noting the importance of the road trip for building chemistry. ‘We faced a quality opponent and showed growth,’ he said, highlighting the late defensive stop that preserved the lead.
The Bison entered the game shorthanded, missing seven players due to injury or pending student visas, yet still managed to have nine of ten dressed players score. Their depth was evident as 35 points came off turnovers, underscoring a collective effort.
Beyond the court, the trip offered personal milestones. Pachucki, a native of Scarborough, Ontario, recorded 40 points across the two games in his home country, while the team’s journey also linked them to Oakland, California, where transfer Deng Majak contributed 11 points and 12 rebounds for Queen’s.