For the first time ever since joining the OUA in 2013, the Algoma Thunderbirds men's basketball team won back-to-back games, defeating the Waterloo Warriors in their doubleheader weekend at home. The Thunderbirds handed Waterloo their second loss of the weekend, 81-68.
 
"It's the first time we've ever won back-to-back on a weekend," said Head Coach Thomas Cory after tonight's win. "It shows the hard work that our boys have been putting in, and I think their effort really has been showing since Christmas. We want to keep this momentum going. The outlook for the rest of the season is looking good. We want to enjoy this weekend's wins, but we're already thinking about next weekend when we have some tough games. They're tough but definitely winnable. We've just got to keep working day by day. Our competitiveness is definitely starting to show every day and these wins will give us the confidence we need to keep going."
 
Algoma opened strong, going on a 9-1 run. Up by 10, Algoma then went cold allowing Waterloo to claw their way back, 18-17, going into the second frame. Going uncontested from inside and outside, Waterloo got into a rhythm, driving past Algoma. A long three from Adam Benrabah leveled the game at 26. The teams exchanged leads down the stretch until a runaway layup from Jacob Clendinning gave Algoma a three-point advantage they would hold onto going into the second half. Waterloo shot an impressive 57 percent from beyond the arc in the first half.
 
Both teams continued to battle into the third with neither team able to pull away. A key steal from Jacob Clendinning allowed Algoma to widen the gap, going into the final 10 minutes, leading 58-54. Algoma got into a rhythm and went on a 15-4 run to give them their biggest lead since the first quarter, 73-58. Controlling the offensive and defensive glass, Algoma continued to cruise, winning their second consecutive game of the weekend, 81-68.
 
Andre Barber led both squads with 23 points and 9 rebounds, bringing his weekend total to 37 points and 15 rebounds. Jacob Clendinning earned 15 points for a weekend total of 25. His steals were pivotal in both weekend's wins, changing both games in favour of the Tbirds. Brother Sean Clendinning chipped in with 14, bringing his weekend total to 37. Reng Gum earned 11 rebounds.
 
Algoma improves to 3-11 while Waterloo falls to 1-14 in the OUA West.