LONDON, Ont. - The No. 3 nationally ranked Western Mustang women’s basketball team fell to the Brock Badgers 76-61 on Feb. 4 at Thames Hall. With this loss, the Mustangs record falls to 14-3.

The first quarter was not a promising start for the Mustangs, as it ended with Western trailing 25-7. Brock's offense exploded early as nearly every active players contributed to the scoreboard. Mustangs struggled offensively, draining three of the 17 attempts.

Western started the second quarter stronger, led by Lacey Knox’s ten points, including two three-pointers. Mustang defense, led by Matteke Hutzler’s five defensive rebounds was not enough to hold back Brock Badger Whittney Gorges, as she scored 14 points in the first half. By the end of the quarter Western had outscored the Badgers 23-7, but were still trialing 42-30.

After the half Hutzler led the Mustangs offensively, contributing six points in the third quarter. Western threw 100 percent at the free-throw line, but despite this offensive surge from the Mustangs, Brock outscored Western 17-15 and maintained their lead, 59-45, heading into the last frame.

As Brock Badger Hayley Neal fouled out halfway through the fourth, the Mustangs had a late drive scoring a series of consecutive shots led by Jenny Vaughan and Knox to tighten Brock’s lead to eleven points, 54-63. The Badgers continued their dominance at the three-point line, draining a game total of 12 three-pointers, contributing to their 76-61 victory.

Although Western was missing three key players in their line-up, Kelly Moulden, Laura Dally, and Jacklyn Selfe, Stephan Barrie, head coach of the Mustangs, believes his team had the talent to win.

“We have a lot of talent on this team, they just didn’t stick to the game plan and that is something they are going to have to do tomorrow or else Guelph is going to give us a tough battle,” said Barrie.

Western will host Guelph tomorrow, Feb. 5 at 1 p.m. for the annual Shoot for a Cure at Alumni Hall.