Varsity Athletics | 11/6/2026 5:00:00 PM

The York Lions Men's Basketball team will be in action again this weekend following a doubleheader last weekend. Last weekend saw the Lions split their games with a big win over the Windsor Lancers followed by a loss to the Western Mustangs. 

Splitting weekends has been the story for the Lions through the first two weeks of the season as they've gone 1-1 back-to-back weeks to bring them to 2-2 so far on the season. That trend will change this weekend as the Lions only find one game on the schedule against the Algoma Thunderbirds, making a split impossible. 

Algoma has not had a great start to the season so far, as they lost their opening four games of the season. However, they did recently secure a massive 70-67 win over the Laurentian Voyageurs for their first win of the season, and good for a 1-4 record. 

Both teams are looking for a big win to swing momentum in the right direction for them. Both sides have struggled scoring the ball as they find themselves in the bottom five in the OUA in points per game on averages, but Algoma has struggled significantly more. York averages 70.5 points per game to Algoma's 56.2, a 14-point difference on average.  

York's identity this season has been that of a defensive team as they fare much better on that side of the ball. York gives up an average of 74.0 points per game on average, which is the top 10 in the OUA. Algoma, on the other hand, struggles on that side of the floor as well, surrendering 83.6 points per game, the second most in the OUA. 

These two sides faced off once last year, with York emerging victorious and securing a close 87-81 victory over the Thunderbirds. Algoma has not beaten York's Men's team since the 2019-20 season when they secured a close 74-72 victory. 

Saturday's game is scheduled to tip-off at 8 PM EST in Sault Ste. Marie. The game will be available to stream on OUA.tv for all those interested in cheering on the Lions as they look to get back above .500 on the season.