AUC, Sault College drop OCAA openers (Updated)

It was a disappointing start to the OCAA basketball season for the men’s and women’s teams at Algoma University and the men’s team from Sault College.

Algoma dropped their home openers on Saturday afternoon at the George Leach Centre to the St. Clair Saints after the Sault College Cougars fell on Friday night.

At Algoma, the AUC women trailed by just seven points at half time but an early rally by St. Clair to start the second half put Algoma into a hole they could not climb out of as they dropped a 54-34 decision to the Saints.

Algoma’s Roberta Reid led all scorers in the game with 17 points. Melissa Stumpo was Algoma’s second leading scorer with six points. Kati Hamilton and Brianne St. Clair led St. Clair with ten points each in the victory. Jenn Gray also chipped in with nine points.

In the men’s game, St. Clair jumped out to an early 18-6 lead only to see Algoma storm back to within five points shortly after. The Saints jumped back in front taking a 49-35 lead into halftime thanks to six three-pointers in the opening 20 minutes.

In the second half the Algoma Men did battle back and pulled within nine points but could not get any closer as St. Clair held on for a 79-69 victory.

Jason Trinier led all scorers with a game-high 16 points while Cory Glastier chipped in with 14 points, all in the second half. Mike Harris scored 13 points as well for Algoma. Rohan Burrell led St. Clair with 13 points while Adrian Bisson and Tyler Pelley each had 12 points. Leng Yeang also scored in double-digits with 10 points.

Next home action for Algoma will be on Oct. 29 when they host Fanshawe at the George Leach Centre beginning with the women’s game at 12 p.m.

*** SAULT COLLEGE:

At Sault College on Friday night, the Cougars dropped a 82-69 decision to St. Clair.

Ryan Vetrie and Jean Louis Ouattara led the Cougars with 17 points each while Jeff Rennison chipped in with 13. Rohan Burrell had 20 for the Saints.

The Saints led by only one point at the half but put the game away by outscoring the Cougars by 12 points in the second half to win 82-69.

Sault College is back in action on Friday, Oct. 28 against the Fanshawe at 6 p.m.

VOLLEYBALL:

The Sault College women’s volleyball team dropped three straight sets to St. Clair on Friday night. The Saints won the match by game scores of 25-15, 25-18 and 25-19.

Ashley Whitmell had six kills and four blocks in a losing effort.

The lady Cougars will also host Fanshawe on Oct. 28 beginning at 8 p.m.

(With files from Ken Hilderley)