Algoma maintains spot among OCAA's elite

Both the men’s and women’s basketball teams at Algoma University made big statements over the weekend with some important victories.

On the women’s side, a pair of victories over the weekend vaulted the Algoma women into top spot in the OCAA’s West Division. Algoma opened the weekend with a 73-56 win over Mohawk on Saturday afternoon. Kayla Keissig led the way for Algoma with 24 points. Rachelle Abella led Mohawk with 27 points in the loss.

The important victory came on Sunday when Algoma defeated Fanshawe 87-48. Corina Bruni led Algoma with 24 points while Misaki Kawai added 15 and Amanda Orr chipped in with 13 in the win. Larissa McBean scored nine points to lead Fanshawe, who shot just 24% from the field in the loss.

The Algoma women now sit atop the West Division standings with a 13-2 record heading into a road trip next weekend that takes them to Sheridan and Humber.

The Algoma men improved to 12-3 over the weekend thanks to a pair of wins.

On Friday, Algoma defeated Mohawk 87-74 on the strength of a 33-point performance by reigning OCAA player of the week Jovain Wilson. Reynaldo Carnakie chipped in with 20 points. Wilson and Carnakie hit some crucial free throws in the final minutes of the game to help keep Algoma ahead. Aminu Bello led Mohawk with 29 points. Taylor Dowhaniuk chipped in with 17 points while Tanner Lane added 15 in the loss.

On Saturday, Algoma scored a 67-49 win over Fanshawe. Wilson led Algoma, and all scorers in the game, with 35 points. Dele Oworu chipped in with 13 points and added 13 rebounds in the win. Boyd Vessel led Fanshawe with 17 points.

Across town, it was a tough weekend for Sault College, who dropped four games in varsity basketball action.

On Friday night the Sault College women dropped a 63-38 decision to Mohawk. Cheristy Akiwenzie led Sault College with 13 points. Abella led Mohawk with 23 points in a win that saw them go on a 20-2 run in the fourth quarter.

The Sault College men dropped an 87-60 decision on Friday to Mohawk. Jason Ledgister of Sault College led all scorers with 20 points. Bello led Mohawk with 13.

On Saturday night, Sault College dropped both games to Fanshawe.

In the women’s game, Tanisha Broomfield led Fanshawe with 14 points as they defeated Sault College 72-52. Keisha Giroux had 19 points for Sault College and led all scorers in the game.

On the men’s side, Sault College dropped a 79-67 decision. Terell Carr scored 19 points for Sault College while Vassell had 19 for Fanshawe.