KINGSTON, Ont. (November 28, 2014) – The Gaels (2-5) won their second game of the OUA season 72-62 against the visiting Algoma Thunderbirds (0-6) on Friday night at the ARC.  
 
Greg Faulkner (Kingston, Ont.) led all scorers with 26 points and seven rebounds. Cy Samuels (Vaughan, Ont.) put up 10 points of his own in the win, while Ryall Stroud (Toronto) and Tanner Graham (Kingston, Ont.) dominated the backboard with 10 rebounds a piece. The Thunderbirds had a big night from Thomas Chalmers who scored 19 points and AJ Andre Barber who scored 17 points.
 
It was another close game for the Gaels with both teams trading baskets in the first quarter, ending with the score all tied up at 14 points. The Gaels gained some traction over the Thunderbirds to pull ahead early in the second quarter. Their dominance didn't last long as Sean Clendinning heated up for Algoma, scoring six points to help the Thunderbirds get ahead of Queen's 30-25 at halftime.   
 
The Gaels exploded into the second half scoring three back-to-back trifectas and pulling into the lead.

"The third quarter was the turning point for us," said head coach Stephan Barrie. "It was really good on both sides of the ball holding [Algoma] to 10 points and us scoring 25."

It was an offensive turnaround for the Gaels who came back from the deficit to head into the final frame up 50-40 over the Thunderbirds.
 
The momentum continued for the Gaels into the last quarter as they connected on 11 three pointers over the Thunderbirds seven.  With 30 seconds left in the game, Faulkner was fouled twice and went 4-4 from the charity stripe to put the Gaels ahead by 13 points. The Thunderbirds sunk a clutch three-pointer with seconds left but the Gaels were too far ahead and ended  with a 72-62 victory.
 
Going into the break Barrie says their main goals for the team are to get rest and get healthy.  "We need to work on getting committed in the second half to improve in all aspects; offensively, defensively, individually and as a team."
 
The Gaels head into the winter break with a 2-5 record in their 2014-15 OUA season. They'll return to regular season action on January 9 to host Nipissing University. Tipoff is scheduled for 8:00 pm in the ARC Main Gym.