The Windsor Lancers came out on top in a defensive struggle for the second straight night, downing the Algoma Thunderbirds 55-43 in Sault Ste. Marie Saturday afternoon.
 
GAME STATS
Algoma's Karly Fracalanza led all scorers with 24 points on 33 per cent shooting. For the second straight night, Kayah Clarke led the Lancers with 15 points on 25 per cent shooting.
 
Samantha Gucciardi and Fracalanza both led the game in blocks with three each.
 
Fracalanza also double-doubled with 24 points and 11 rebounds. The Lancers were led on the glass by Gucciardi who grabbed nine boards.
 
GAME FLOW
It was rough for the Lancers starters in the early going as the blue and gold struggled to consistently knock down shots. The Lancers starters combined for just five points in the first half and made a single field goal, forcing Coach Vallée to go to their bench. Clarke came up big off the bench, providing an important spark for the Lancers. Despite the poor shooting Windsor managed to stay in the game, tied with the Thunderbirds at 20 going into halftime despite shooting just 20 per cent from the field.
 
In the second half, with the Lancers aware of their offensive problems, they clamped down on defense, only giving up 16 per cent shooting to Algoma in the back half of the game. Fortunately for the Lancers the halftime adjustments on offense worked and Windsor shot better in the second half. At 27 per cent they didn't shoot the lights out but it was more than enough to propel them to a hard fought win, 55-43.
 
UP NEXT
The Lancers head home to host the Guelph Gryphons on Wednesday, Nov. 27 at 6:00 p.m. It will be the last game at the Dennis Fairall Fieldhouse for the fall semester, and tickets can be purchased in advance at www.goLancers.ca/tickets.