Supplied by Algoma University…

The Algoma Thunderbirds men’s and women’s basketball teams are back in action this weekend in the George Leach Centre. Two lucky fans will have a chance to win $1,000 Friday and Saturday night in the Hot Shot contest.

The action begins at 6:00pm on Friday, October 27th on the hardwood with the women taking to court against the Ryerson Rams. The men tip-off at 8:00pm.

Returning for the women are Sydney Resch (Guelph, ON), Karly Fracalanza (Sarnia, ON), Marlee Ball (Waterdown, ON), Mairead Dunn (Kitchener, ON), Jamerka Martin (Milwaukee, WI), Rebecca Wylie (London, ON), and Karina Cole (Lincoln, MI). Suiting up for the first time are Kendra Cole (Lincoln, MI), Farah Alfar (Aurora, ON), Cassandra Cushnie (Markham, ON), Darryn Lindquist (Markham, ON), Madison Cameron (Calgary, AB), and Sawyer Fischer (Wallaceburg, ON).

Last season, the women finished at 4-16 in the OUA West. The women opened 2016-17 strong, upsetting the Carleton Ravens, the Number 1 ranked team in the nation. Last season was the red, white, and grey’s best to date since joining the OUA.

On the men’s side, Algoma’s veteran players include Co-captain Cailum White (Victoria, BC), Co-Captain Reng Gum (Surrey, BC), Damian Okungbowa (Brampton, ON), Jermaine Lyle (Kitchener, ON), Nikola Zorcic (Winnipeg, MB), Ian Nash (Detroit, MI), Brandon Dwyer (Markham, ON), Nathan Riley (Kitchener, ON), and Elijah Butler (Honolulu, HI). Rookies include Pedro Costa (Portugal), Trevor Schulz (Vancouver, BC), Jamari Stephenson (Kitchener, ON), Milan Acimovic (Toronto, ON), and Tyrel O’Brian (Toronto, ON).

The Thunderbirds finished out last season with a record of 5-15, tying their best season.

In the preseason, the men have earned two wins over Northern Ontario rival, the Lakehead Thunderwolves.

“We are very excited to start the regular against two very well coached teams,” said men’s Head Coach Thomas Cory. “We have to control the pace of the games along with rebounding both ends of the floor.”

Fans will have a chance to win $1,000 on Friday and Saturday night. During half time of the men’s game both evenings, one lucky fan will get to try their luck at the half court Hot Shot.

The first 200 fans will also receive a free t-shirt.

A super fan will also be selected at the end of each game on Friday and Saturday night and awarded a special prize.

On Saturday, the excitement continues in the GLC with the Tbirds taking on the Toronto Varsity Blues at 6:00pm (women) and 8:00pm (men).

Games will be streamed live on OUA.TV.

In other varsity action, the cross-country running team will be in Windsor, Ontario competing at the OUA Championships. 17 schools will be competing at Malden Park. This is the first year that the women’s team will be running a longer race, running an eight-kilometre track. The men will run a 10-kilometre race.

For more information, including rosters and schedules, please visit algomathunderbirds.ca.