LONDON, Ont. - An excellent team defensive effort propelled the Western Mustangs to a 75-55 win against the University of Tennesee-Martin Skyhawks at Alumni Hall on Saturday afternoon.

Western gets its second win against an NCAA Division I opponent and improves its record to 2-1 in preseason play this season.

The Mustangs were led on offence by Laura Dally of Sarnia, Ont. and Jenny Vaughan of Dundas, Ont. with 19 points apiece. Beckie Williams of London, Ont. added 15 points along with six assists. 

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The Mustangs and Skyhawks traded baskets in the first quarter with no team able to establish a lead. Matteke Hutzler of Napanee, Ont. made her presence felt in the paint on both sides of the ball, securing rebounds and finishing her layups. She finished with 14 rebounds along with six points.

The Mustangs held the slight edge 14-12 after the first quarter.

Western pushed the tempo to start the second quarter using full-court pressure to disrupt UTM's offensive sets. The Mustangs went on an 8-0 run to stretch the lead to 22-12 with 5:44 left in the half.

The defensive pressure held UTM to just four points in the quarter and allowed Western to hold a 26-16 advantage.

The Mustangs continued to apply pressure to frustrate the UTM offence, and Western extended their lead after halftime to 20 points as Dally and Vaughan played with excellence in the backcourt.

The Skyhawks pushed the tempo to cut into the lead to 48-31 by the end of the third quarter and would not finish their Canadian tour quietly, hustling throughout the fourth quarter.

They cut the lead again to 13 points at 64-51 with two minutes remaining but the Mustangs finished strong, especially scoring in transition to counter the press and trap, to win 75-55.

No player on Tennessee-Martin registered in double digits statistically, with Aubrey Reedy leading her squad with nine points and four rebounds before fouling out. Metrekia Minter secured seven rebounds but did not score in the contest.