COLLEGE HOOPS: Improved AUC falls to Lambton

The Algoma University College men's basketball team are out to prove that they can be a competitive team this season.

If Saturday afternoon's Ontario College Athletic Association game against the Lambton Lions at the George Leach Centre was any indication, the local AUC Thunderbirds are headed in the right direction.

A hard working Thunderbirds team, led by new head coach Enzo Torcaso, hung tight with the Lions all game but eventually feel 72-66 as Lambton's Chris Williams proved to be unstoppable.

Williams, a second-year forward, light up Algoma for 43 points and hauled down 12 rebounds. Combined with Williams' 25 point performance against Sault College on Friday night, Williams scored 68 points in Lambton's two game sweep in the Sault.

Jason Trinier led Algoma with 19 points while Paul Best added 18 points and Greg Sirie 14. Rookies Tony Souvannakhily and Adam Carpenter scored nine and eight points respectively for the Thunderbirds.

Sault College, Algoma and Lambton will all get to know each other again next weekend as the Lions will host a men's tournament in Sarnia.

Sault College will host Fanshawe on October 31 at 8 p.m. at Sault College before Algoma and Fanshawe collide on November 1 at 2 p.m. at the Leach Centre on the AUC campus.

*** WOMEN'S HOOPS:

The Sault College Cougars women's basketball team and the AUC Thunderbirds women returned home with 1-2 records during tournament play at Georgian College in Barrie on the weekend.

After falling 80-25 to eventual champion Trois Rivieres, the Cougars played well but fell short 40-33 to Mohawk College before hammering Georgian College 66-14.

Simone Taylor led the Cougars with six points in the loss to Trois Rivieres, Jen Ross scored 11 points in the loss to Mohawk and Lyndsey Carlyle scored 18 points in the Cougars win over Georgian.

The Thunderbirds beat Georgian 64-30 before losing to Durham College 56-44 and George Brown College 69-38.

Both local teams open OCAA regular season action against Fanshawe. Sault College will host the Fanshawe ladies on October 31 at 6 p.m. Algoma and Fanshawe battle on November 1 at 12 p.m.