The Redeemer Women's and Men's Basketball teams came up short on Wednesday night in their 2013-14 season openers against Mohawk College. Games that came with much anticipation lived up to their hype with two matches that had the visiting Royals searching for an upset.

The Lady Royals women's basketball team was the only Redeemer team in action on Wednesday night that was able to stick with their opponent to begin the game. Redeemer came out strong to start and at the end of the first quarter both teams were tied at 16-16.

Unfortunately, Redeemer struggled in the 2nd quarter putting up just 7 points.

Determined to not let the game get away from them, the Royals came out shooting in the 3rd quarter. Led by Redeemer's Lindsay Moffatt, the Royals hit 6 three's in the quarter, 3 of them coming from Moffatt. She finished with a game high 28 points.

But Mohawk stuck with Redeemer each step of the way and the Royals found themselves unable to close the gap created in the 2nd quarter.

Mohawk went on to the 86-69 win.

"We played well over the course of the evening but a lapse in the second quarter cost us", mentioned Head Coach Rob Hooper. "Mohawk went on an 11-0 run. We were in the game for the most part".

Aycha Hamaoui had 18 points for Redeemer in the loss.

The much-anticipated Men's game pitted two teams against each other who are quickly becoming OCAA rivals. On paper, the Mountaineers should have been the clear favorite, but Redeemer served notice that they are a force to be reckoned with in 2013-14.

Holding a 85-82 lead midway through the 4th quarter, Redeemer showed they could keep up with the top ranked teams in the country. Led by Redeemer's Calvin Turnbull and his 34 points the Royals outscored the Mountaineers over the final 3 quarters. Despite, a slow start in which Redeemer went down 28-15, Redeemer controlled much of the pace of the game.

Mohawk was able to keep even with Redeemer in the 4th quarter and despite both teams scoring 26 points, Redeemer required just a few more falling 97-92.

"I am dissappointed", commented Head Coach Jamie Girolametto. "We have what it takes to win. We need to do a better job rebounding and need to learn how to win close games".

Benn Ibrahim chipped in with 24 points and 8 rebounds for the Royals.

Next up, Redeemer women's and men's teams travel to Lambton College and St. Clair College on November 1st and 2nd.