LONDON, Ont. - Matteke Hutzler had 16 points and 11 rebounds, as the No.3 nationally ranked Western Mustangs defeated the Lakehead Thunderwolves 70-62 on Feb.18 at Alumni Hall.

Lacey Knox got the Mustangs on the scoreboard first, draining a long three. Hutzler led the offense and the defense in the first, with five points and three rebounds. Western had a 19-11 lead at the end of the first despite going 6-17 from the field and one-for-five at the three-point line.

In the second, Jenny Vaughan help extend the Mustang lead with her eight points, while Rebecca Moss netted two three-pointers. Hutzler had three more rebounds, continuing to front Western’s defensive effort alongside Katelyn Leddy with four rebounds in the first two quarters. Heading into the half, the Mustangs had a 35-26 lead.

Throughout the third Hutzler continued to light up the scoreboard, netting 11, while Vaughan added four more points and three assists as the Mustangs outscored the Thunderwolves 20-17. Leddy took control of the Mustangs heavy defensive pressure with an additional seven rebounds, as Hutzler continued to have key defensive and offense rebounds.

Beckie Williams, Laura Dally, and Moss each had a 3-pointer in the final quarter. Lakehead’s offensive effort proved strong, as the Thunderwolves inched closer to Western’s lead. Tasia McKenna, Thunderbird top scorer of the quarter, had ten points, as the Thunderwolves outscored the Mustangs 19-15. Despite Lakehead’s offensive surge, Western’s defensive efforts, once again led by Hutzler, were enough to defeat Lakehead 70-62.

The Mustangs will rematch against the Thunderwolves on Feb.19 at 6 p.m. at Alumni Hall in their final game of the regular season.