NORTH BAY, Ont. - Canadore Panthers varsity basketball registered their first win in the Ontario Colleges Athletic Association season with a win over the Loyalist Lancers of Bellville 64-61.

The Panthers top scorers versus Loyaist were Daniel Smalling, a 6-foot-3 guard who lead the Panthers with 18 points, followed up by Tarez Hepburn with 11 points.

The Panthers have nine returning players this season that include guards Dejon Campbell, Duvontae Spencer, Jerome Wynter, Smalling; point guards Santo Dak, Brandon Farquarson; small forward Hepburn; shooting guard Jake Rae; and power forward Sharmarke Mohamed.

"The key to this win was rebounding," said Canadore head coach Stacy Gallagher. "The Panthers out-rebounded Loylist 61-52 which helped down the stretch late in the fourth quarter."

"We fought hard through all four quarters and it's nice to have that first win," added point guard Farquharson. "We now can build on the things we did right."

The Panthers men's basketball experienced a loss to St. Lawrence Kingston on Friday night in a low scoring, hard fault game 59-53.

Panther top scorers in the St Lawrence game were Hepburn with 19 points and five rebounds and Santo Dak with 14 points.

This weekend's games brings the Panther record to 1-2 in the Ontario Colleges Athletic Association East Division.

The Panthers coaching staff include head coach Gallagher, assistant coaches Ryan Bennison, Mike Costello, Greg Rogers and manger Onkar Barn.

The Panthers host 10 home games this season. Canadore next home game is versus Centennial Colts in the Education Centre Gymnasium - College Drive on Friday, Nov. 18 at 7 p.m.

Source: Canadore College