Red and GOLD: Laval win 2024 Men’s Final 8 on home court

The Laval Rouge et Or concluded its title journey with a history 77-71 victory over the Queen's Gaels, capturing its first U SPORTS men's basketball gold medal in front of a raucous hometown crowd at the 2024 GreenShield U SPORTS Final 8 Men's Basketball Championship in Quebec City.

Qualified as the tournament's hosts, the Rouge et Or eliminated the top-seeded Victoria Vikes, the no. 4 ranked Dalhousie Tigers, and the second-ranked Queen's Gaels to earn the crown as Canada's best in 2024.

With the win, Rouge et Or became the first French university and only the third RSEQ team to capture the national banner.

Back to the game. Energized by a very engaged crowd of 3,200 fans, the Rouge et Or quickly set the tone for the title match with a 16-point run to transform an 8-5 deficit into a 21-8 lead. The OUA champions still haven't said their last word. Methodically, the Gaels climbed back into contention and jumped seven points ahead with 17 minutes to go in the game.

As they typically did since the beginning of that tournament, the Rouge et Or did not throw the towel. Steeve Joseph and Ismaël Diouf, the players of the game, enabled the local favourites to come from behind and write their chapter of Canadian university basketball history.

Diouf concluded the final with an outstanding 26 points, 12 rebounds, four blocks and two steals in 37 minutes of play. Joseph added 24 points and six assists.

For the Gaels, U SPORTS Defensive Player of the Year Luka Syllas (23) was the only player scoring over 20 points. Playing in their first national final in program history, the Gaels will return to Kingston with a silver medal.

Players of the Game: Ismaël Diouf (Laval) and Cole Syllas (Queen's)

Tournament MVP: Ismaël Diouf (Laval)

2024 U SPORTS Men's Basketball Final 8 All-Star Team:
Shawn Maranan (Winnipeg)
Diego Maffia (Victoria)
Malcolm Christie (Dalhousie)
Cole Syllas (Queen's)
Ismaël Diouf (Laval)