LONDON, Ont. - The No. 4 Western Mustangs would use airtight defence to shut down the Ryerson Rams 83-53 in the home opener at Alumni Hall on Friday night.
Western buckled down after being down 23-21 after one quarter to limit the Rams to 13, 8 and 9 points in the remaining quarters.
Matteke Hutzler, of Napanee, Ont., was a force in the paint shooting 10 of 16 for 21 points and seven rebounds.
Rebecca Moss, of Waterloo, Ont., added 19 points off the bench going five of eight from three-point range.
The Mustangs are now 3-0 on the season and will host the Toronto Varsity Blues on Nov. 13 at 6 p.m.
Both teams came out flying on offence, pushing the tempo and shooting over 50% in the quarter. The Rams would hit five of their six three-point attempts but only hold a 23-21 lead after the first quarter after a number of fast break points by the Mustangs.
The Mustangs would start the second quarter with a 13-2 run to open up a nine point lead. Their defensive pressure would continue as they would only allow Ryerson 13 points in the quarter. Western would use their size advantage in the front court and Hutzler's 16 points would give the Mustangs a 43-36 lead at half.
Western would dominate the third quarter playing airtight defence and frustrating the Rams' offence. The Mustangs would outscore Ryerson 23-8 in the quarter through ball rotation to beat the Ryerson zone and some excellent long-range shooting. The 66-44 lead would prove to be insurmountable.
