For the first time since joining the OUA and CIS in 2013, the Algoma Thunderbirds women's basketball team notched their first win, edging the Nipissing Lakers, 59-44. The men's basketball team also came out on top winning their first game of the season, 72-59.
 
As part of Algoma University's 50^th anniversary kick-off celebration and the annual CIS Shoot for the Cure cancer awareness games, proudly supported by the Alumni Council, the Algoma Thunderbirds donned pink jerseys as they took on the Nipissing Lakers, the newcomers in the OUA and CIS for the 2014-15 season. Both the men's and women's Algoma and Nipissing squads went into today's games winless, looking to notch their big first win of the season.
 
In the women's game, the Thunderbirds opened strong, looking to capitalize on playing the rookie OUA team. Jumping out to a 6-0 lead, Algoma drove the ball down to the post, pulling ahead 10-2. Algoma established a tight defense and Nipissing struggled to get on the boards. Algoma led the Thunderbirds 17-6 going into the second. Despite only one substitution on the bench, Algoma continued to drive ahead, pulling away 25-10. Nipissing chipped into the deficit late in the second, getting within 7 of the Thunderbirds. After an Algoma timeout, the Thunderbirds regrouped with increased physicality. Shooting 40 percent, Algoma led Nipissing 32-21 going into the second half.
 
Both teams tired and went cold, with shooting falling short in the second. A shot from within the paint and two free throws allowed the Lakers to get within 8 of the Thunderbirds. Algoma's Laura Meadows went 2-2 from the charity line, giving Algoma a 10-point cushion. Nipissing and Algoma went back and forth, exchanging three-point shots, increasing the lead 46-35 going into the final 10 minutes. Algoma moved the ball around the court, playing to Nipissing's short bench, widening the gap to 13. Finding their second wind, Algoma tightened their defense, forcing Nipissing to take long shots. Algoma's momentum continued down the stretch, allowing Algoma to come away with a big historical win, 59-44.
 
Meadows led the Thunderbirds in their historical win with 18 points. Sydney Resch chipped in 13. Claire Abbot led Nipissing with 18 in their losing effort. Algoma shot 35 percent from the field and Nipissing shot 92 percent from the charity stripe.
 
Coming off of the women's big win, the men's Thunderbirds basketball team looked to continue the momentum at the GLC in front of an enthusiastic crowd. The Algoma squad jumped out early, leading 9-0. Algoma squared off against former OCAA Thunderbird Joey Puddister, a starting guard on the Nipissing lineup. Both teams went back and forth in the fast-paced physical game. Unable to get a good shot, Nipissing trailed 21-12 going into the second. Within the opening minutes of the second, Algoma doubled the gap, burying Nipissing 34-14. The Lakers shooting woes continued down the stretch, allowing Algoma to pull away 40-24 going into the second half. 
 
Nipissing clawed their way back in the third, getting within 10 of the Thunderbirds. The Lakers got into a rhythm controlling the pace of the game. Algoma's outside shooter Samy Mohammed came into his game late, sinking threes to once again pull away. Nipissing answered the call, retaliating to close the dent 53-43 going into the last quarter. The Lakers continued to rally, getting within 6 after two successful free throws. Algoma's captain Brett Zufelt went 3-3 from the charity line, to give Algoma an 11-point lead. Both teams went back and forth exchanging buckets, Nipissing keeping it close to make it a three possession game with one minute left of play. Jamal Mucket-Sobers shot from the charity line sealed the game in favour of the Thunderbirds, winning their first game of the season, 72-59.

Zufelt left the Thunderbirds with 13 points. Mucket-Sobers earned 11. Jerron Rhodes earned 17 for Nipissing followed by Jordon Cambell's 16. Algoma shot 41 percent from the field and 91 percent from the free throw line. 

Both Thunderbirds teams are now 1-11 in the OUA West.
 
The Thunderbirds are back in action this Friday and Saturday at the George Leach Centre, taking on the CIS ranked Number 1 and 2 teams, the Ottawa Gee-Gees and Carleton Ravens. The women tip-off at 6:00pm followed by the men at 8:00pm.