SUDBURY, Ont. - It was a big night for Cambrian basketball as both teams cracked the win column Friday evening at home against the Sault Cougars. The Golden Shield ladies paved the way with a stifling first half defence, building up a 22-7 lead and finishing with a 50-33 victory against their northern rivals.

Chantal McMahon spearheaded the offence for the home side, netting 15 points which included a trio of three-point baskets. Larissa Rivard (10), Trish Taylor (nine) and Kayla Odorizzi (eight) also chipped in on the attack, with McKenzie Kearns countering with 11 points for the Cougars, all in the second half.

The Sooites mounted a third quarter comeback, outscoring Cambrian 17-12, with 11 points coming courtesy of free throws, before the homeside countered with a 16-9 fourth quarter run.

The Cougars, who earned a season split with a 54-41 victory on their home court in late November, feature a pair of Sudbury athletes in their roster with both Renelle Carriere (Notre-Dame) and Chantal Scherbak (Lo-Ellen) suiting up for the visitors.

With the ground-breaking win out of the way, the Golden Shield men were more than prepared to follow suit, maintaining control from start to finish in a 73-56 triumph over the Sault Cougars.

Leading 16-9 after the opening 10 minutes, Cambrian broke through with 25 points in the second quarter behind a trio of treys, increasing their advantage to 41-25 and never looking back.

Kevin Cole topped all scorers with a 20-point effort, with Peter Luyeye and newcomer Derrick Rantala adding 14 and 11 respectively. Aaron Brown (18), Shakeel Ellis (15) and Mark Lue-Hue (12) found themselves at the top of the scoring parade in a losing cause.

Both Cambrian teams are back in action at home this coming weekend, with both preparing for a relatively well-matched opponent. The Redeemer Royals are in Sudbury on both Friday and Saturday, with the women posting a 4-9 mark and the men only slightly better at 5-8.

Games will tip off at the Cambrian gymnasium at 6:30 p.m. on Friday and 1:30 p.m. Saturday afternoon, with the guys following the girls on both days.

Source: Cambrian College