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The Algoma Thunderbirds women’s basketball team faced a tough weekend on the hardcourt, dropping both of their home games in Sault Ste. Marie.
In the first matchup, the sixth-place Thunderbirds (1-16) fell to the fifth-place Laurentian Voyageurs (4-13) with a decisive 79-43 loss. Despite the outcome, Kaila Fong led Algoma’s efforts with an impressive 18 points, four rebounds, and 39 minutes on the court. Nadia Singh contributed a double-double performance with 14 points and 13 rebounds in 37 minutes, while Brooke Gruhn rounded out the top scorers with nine points and one rebound in 40 minutes played. The Thunderbirds managed to score 14 points in the paint and capitalized on turnovers for nine points but struggled to keep pace with the Voyageurs’ offensive pressure.
Game two saw Algoma (1-17) take on the fourth-place east division Nipissing Lakers (4-13), ultimately falling 60-43. Kaila Fong once again played a significant role, recording nine points and nine rebounds over 39 minutes. Riya Donnelly added nine points and four rebounds in 29 minutes, while Nadia Singh matched the nine-point tally and contributed five rebounds in 23 minutes of action.
Thunderbird women’s coach Katie Hamilton told Saultsports that “I was really happy with the girls performance this weekend. On the offensive end, we got the looks we wanted with open three’s or open looks at the rim with penetration. Unfortunately, it was just one of those weekends where things weren’t falling despite our best efforts. I was really proud that they didn’t let that impact their effort, their energy or our execution. They fought through it and battled hard. We are looking forward to our match up with Waterloo next weekend and the chance to compete for what is sure to be another two tough but competitive games for us.”
On the men’s side, the sixth-place (0-16) Thunderbirds faced the fourth-place (8-9) east division Voyageurs in game one of their weekend, falling 60-50 to Laurentian. Alex Semenov led Algoma with 11 points in 27 minutes played, while Jean Michael Senatus contributed six points and three rebounds in 15 minutes on the court. Kur Mayuom rounded out the top three for the Thunderbirds with 34 minutes of action, recording five points and three rebounds. The Thunderbirds managed 12 points in the paint and scored five points off turnovers in the loss.
In game two against the sixth-place (6-11) east division Nipissing Lakers, the Thunderbirds suffered an 85-63 defeat. Jean Michael Senatus led Algoma with 15 points and eight rebounds in 29 minutes. Ibrahima Yansane followed with 10 points and seven rebounds in 29 minutes of action, while Adong Dut contributed 16 points and five rebounds in 18 minutes played. The Thunderbirds found success in the paint with 29 points and scored nine points off turnovers, but ultimately fell short against a strong Lakers offense.
The Algoma Thunderbird men and women’s Thunderbird head to Waterloo over the February 7th and 8th weekend when they take on the Waterloo Warriors.
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