The Sault College Cougars began the new season on a disappointing note with a loss on home court.
With some new faces but the same high expectations, the Cougars men's basketball team dropped a tough 78-72 decision to the Lambton Lions to open the Ontario Colleges Athletic Association schedule on home court on Friday night.
Last season, the Cougars went 6-0 on home court during the regular season suffering their only home loss during the first round of the playoffs.
On Friday in the Sault College gym, Jordan Sanders led the Cougars attack with 17 points while returnee Ron Kelly scored 15 points and third-year point guard Chris Muncaster added 11 points. Chris Burk added nine points, Jeff Rennison eight and Ryan Court seven.
Chris Williams with 25 points and Matt Stevers with 18 offensively lead the Lions, who visit Algoma University on Saturday at 1 p.m. at the George Leach Centre.
The Cougars will travel to Sarnia next weekend to play in a tournament at Lambton College.
*** WOMEN'S HOOPS: The Cougars women's basketball team dropped their opening game in the Georgian College Tournament in Barrie on Friday night. Trois-Riviere College from Quebec defeated the Cougars 80-23. The Cougars return to the floor on Saturday morning at 9 a.m. against Mohawk College.
*** VOLLEYBALL: The Cougars opened the OCAA women's volleyball season on Friday night with a 3-1 victory over Lambton at the Sault College gymnasium.
The Cougars opened the contest with a 25-14 win in the first set. Lambton rebounded with a 25-23 win in the second set before the Cougars won the last two sets by scores of 25-13 and 25-19.
Angela Mei led the Cougars with 15 offensive points including 11 kills and four serving aces. Desiree Simon added 10 points including seven kills, a block and two aces.