Algoma Thunderbirds Wrap Up Pre-Season Basketball Tournament at George Leach Centre

9/21/2026 7:00:00 PM

SAULT STE. MARIE, ON — September 21, 2026 — The Algoma University Thunderbirds hosted their 2026 Pre-Season Basketball Tournament this past weekend at the George Leach Centre, featuring the Nipissing Lakers, Laurentian Voyageurs, Lambton Lions and Fanshawe Falcons for three days of competitive exhibition basketball.

Women's Basketball
The Algoma women's team opened the tournament on Friday afternoon with a hard-fought 55–52 victory over Nipissing University. Sadie Grawbarger, a Fourth-Year standout from Garden River, ON led the Thunderbirds in the win with 19 points, 3 assists, 7 rebounds and 3 steals.

On Saturday, Nipissing defeated Lambton College 72–52, before Algoma returned to the court in the evening posting another 55–48 win over Fanshawe College. First-Year Forward Benie Bambila from Gatineau, QC led the Thunderbirds to victory with a 15 point, 10 rebound double-double.

After Nipissing defeated Fanshawe 64-47 in the first game of the day Sunday, the Thunderbirds closed out their tournament with an impressive 69–51 victory over Lambton College, finishing the weekend with a perfect 3–0 record. A balanced attack across the board on offense paced the Thunderbirds with the team shooting the lights out from 3-point range going 11 for 19 from the arc.

Next up the Thunderbirds Women's team travels to Brandon, MB October 8-11^th for their final pre-season tune up prior to the 2026-27 OUA Basketball Home Opener weekend which is scheduled for October 23^rd and 24^th when the Brock Badgers and Queens Golden Gaels visit the George Leach Centre in Sault Ste. Marie, ON.

Men's Basketball
The Algoma men's team tipped off the tournament on Friday night against Laurentian, with the Voyageurs earning a 79–54 victory. Third-Year Guard Tyson Francisco from Winnipeg, MB and Second-Year Guard Biong Deng from Brooks, AB led the Thunderbirds in defeat with 8 points.

Saturday afternoon saw the Laurentian Voyageurs pick up their second win of the weekend defeating Lambton College 82–67.

On Sunday, Algoma finished its tournament schedule with a bounce-back performance against Lambton, earning a decisive 90–57 victory. Fourth Year Forward Logan Whitmell from Sault Ste. Marie, ON was the leading scorer in the win with 19 points, 6 rebounds and 1 block.

Next up for the Thunderbirds Men's team is a trip to Toronto this upcoming weekend for a two-game set against the Sheridan College Bruins and the University of Toronto Varsity Blues before they return home for their 2026-27 OUA Home Opener Weekend October 23^rd-24^th versus the Brock Badgers and Queens Golden Gaels at the George Leach Centre in Sault Ste. Marie, ON.

FULL TOURNAMENT RESULTS

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 18
Women: Algoma 55, Nipissing 52
Men: Laurentian 79, Algoma 54

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 19
Women: Nipissing 72, Lambton 52
Men: Laurentian 82, Lambton 67
Women: Algoma 55, Fanshawe 48

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 20
Women: Nipissing 64, Fanshawe 47
Women: Algoma 69, Lambton 51
Men: Algoma 90, Lambton 57

Algoma University thanks all participating teams, officials, volunteers, fans, and supporters who helped make the 2026 Algoma Thunderbirds Pre-Season Tournament a successful weekend of basketball at the George Leach Centre in raising over $1200 that will be donated to the family of local-athlete and the University of Windsor Lancers standout Running Back Nathan Guizzetti who tragically passed away recently.

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