What began as a night of celebration and cancer research ended in a nail-biter, with Team Engineering clinching a narrow victory.
On Nov. 13, the fourth annual Tri-Colour Classic (TCC) packed the Slush Puppie Place in support of cancer research and awareness. More than 4,000 students filled the stands, creating a charged, electric atmosphere. Queen’s largest faculties—Commerce and Engineering—faced off in a charitable yet fiercely competitive basketball showdown.
Founded in 2021, the TCC raised over $482,000 dedicated towards cancer research, adding another $200,000 to the total at the game. Nothing goes undone in a spectacle this big, with a leadoff performance by Queen’s Highland Dance alongside Queen’s Bands. Followed by an emotional and poetic version of O’ Canada, students basked in their national anthem, embracing each other and swinging side-to-side.
The game opened with pent-up energy pouring into the usual directed chants from the Engineering and Commerce cheering sections. The athletes on the court, feeding off the spirit of the crowd, led to some early nervousness and amped up players. The first was tightly contested, with a narrow Team Engineering lead 12-8.
Queen’s Pom engaged the crowd with a performance in a stoppage during the second quarter. A multi-song rendition blew the roof off the building as the student body continued to show their support for their school. Another close quarter had engineering leading 29-24.
A strong third quarter by Team Eng had the crowd engaging in the wave as the game started to seem out of reach with a 39-26 Engineering lead. However, Commerce had an answer in the early fourth quarter, taking a 4-point lead with eight minutes remaining.
This is when two-time Tri-Colour Classic stand-out Simon Bailey Sci’26 took over the game with a huge 3-pointer, followed by, in the next possession, a spin-move lay-up to take the lead back for Team Engineering. Both teams continued to play with pace, trading points back and forth. Ultimately, Engineering hung on with a last-second tying effort from Team Commerce.
In the post-game ceremony, Simon Bailey, Sci’26, was recognized with his third Tri-Colour Classic MVP. “I’m thankful every year I get to be a part of this and contribute,” he said in an interview with The Journal. In his final year at Queens, Bailey explains he’s grateful for the opportunity the TCC has given him to play for such a great cause.
The next TCC tournament returns in March, featuring a 3v3 March Madness showdown.
Tags
Slush Puppie Place, TCC, Team Comm, Team Eng
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