GUELPH, Ont. – October 31, 2025 – The Algoma Thunderbirds men's basketball team showed plenty of fight and flashes of offensive brilliance on Friday night in OUA action, falling 87–56 to the Guelph Gryphons in a competitive contest at the GGAC.
The Thunderbirds came out firing, matching Guelph shot for shot through much of the opening quarter thanks to a red-hot start from Oliver Kristoffersen, who led all scorers with 23 points. Kristoffersen was nearly unstoppable from deep, connecting on five three-pointers and finishing an impressive 9-for-12 from the field. His shooting helped Algoma post a strong 25-point first quarter, their highest-scoring frame of the young season.
Veteran guard Kal-El Alejo added 10 points, showcasing his quickness and creativity while also leading the Thunderbirds' playmaking with 7 assists. Jean-Luc Cubahiro and Tyson Francisco each contributed 5 points, combining for steady defense and ball movement against Guelph's pressure.
Off the bench, Elijah Quissua made his mark by attacking the rim and going a perfect 6-for-6 from the free-throw line, while Shalom Anyikwa pulled down a team-high 6 rebounds and anchored the defense inside. The Thunderbirds finished with 29 total rebounds and shot an efficient 83% from the free-throw line (10-for-12) — one of their best marks this season.
While Guelph used their size and rebounding advantage to pull away in the middle quarters, Algoma showed resilience and poise late, finishing the game strong and continuing to battle on both ends.
The Thunderbirds' perimeter attack was a highlight, as the team drained eight three-pointers at a solid 32% clip, marking steady improvement from previous outings.
The Thunderbirds will look to build on this performance as they hit the road again to face the Western Mustangs on Friday night November 7th at 8pm and the Windsor Lancers on Saturday night November 8th at 8 pm. Both games will be streamed on OUA TV.
