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Laurentian Voyageurs Defeat Algoma Thunderbirds at Home

NEWS RELEASE ALGOMA UNIVERSITY ************************* SAULT STE. MARIE - The Algoma Thunderbirds continued the second half of their OUA and CIS season tonight with mid-week games against the Laurentian Voyageurs.

NEWS RELEASE

ALGOMA UNIVERSITY

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SAULT STE. MARIE - The Algoma Thunderbirds continued the second half of their OUA and CIS season tonight with mid-week games against the Laurentian Voyageurs.

In men's action, the Thunderbirds drew first blood, jumping out to a 6-0 lead over the Voyageurs. 

Applying full-court pressure and out-rebounding Laurentian 15-9, the Thunderbirds led after the first quarter, 15-13. In the second, the Voyageurs tied it up at 15, and both teams went shot for shot to the end of the first half, leading to a 28-28 tie at the break. 

The Thunderbirds slumped in the second-half, and the Voyageurs went on a 6-point run, widening the gap to 38-32.

Shooting 42.2 percent from the field, Laurentian continued to build their lead over Algoma, winning in the end by a score of 79-53. 

Number three-ranked CIS player Alex Ratte of the Voyageurs led both teams with 29 points and Jimmy Bilenga (shown above in a file photo) led the Thunderbirds with 15. 

The Voyageurs improved to 8-4, while the Thunderbirds fell to 3-9.

On the women's side, the Lady Vee's dominated the play early on, shutting out the Thunderbirds in the first quarter, 12-0. 

The Thunderbirds out-rebounded the Voyageurs 11-8, but failed to get on the scoreboard. 

Stephanie Jennings went 2-2 at the charity line for the Thunderbirds, finally notching two points for the Thunderbirds in the second.

Jenni Thompson would then break Algoma's dismal shooting streak with a successful shot from beyond the arc, chipping into the Lady Vee's 21-point lead. At the half, the Thunderbirds trailed 28-15. 

The Thunderbirds went 10-10 from the free-throw line while the Voyageurs' averaged 37.9 percent from the field.

The Thunderbirds improved their shooting in the second half, but in the end shot 19 percent overall, while Sudbury out-rebounded, out-scored, and out-played the Thunderbirds, winning 50-35.  

Devenae Bryce led the Voyageurs with 16 points, while Thompson led Algoma with 10. 

The Lady Vee's improved to 3-9 while the Thunderbirds fall to 0-12 in the East.

"For Friday's game we need to be more focused than we were in tonight's game.  We need to be ready to leave everything on the floor to accomplish what we want to," said Head Coach Ryan Vetrie after tonight's game.

The Thunderbirds continue their action at home this weekend with games against the York Lions and Queen's Gaels on Friday and Saturday.  The women's games start at 6:00pm followed by the men at 8:00pm.

About Algoma University  

Algoma University offers a wide variety of liberal arts and sciences degree options including programs in Psychology, Social Work, Computer Science, Business Administration, Fine Arts, Community Economic & Social Development, and Biology in Sault Ste. Marie, Brampton, Timmins and St. Thomas.

As a partner with Shingwauk Kinoomaage Gamig, Algoma U is committed to respecting Anishinaabe knowledge and culture.

Algoma University has launched its Essential Elements Campaign to expand its campus and offer more scholarships and awards to students. To learn more, visit www.algomau.ca.

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