Dribbling into a difficult 2012-2013 OUA regular season, the Western Mustangs men’s basketball team suffered two straight losses during their home opening weekend making their record 0-2, with 107 goals for and 163 goals against, currently standing in ninth spot in the OUA west division. Facing 2011-2012 OUA semi-finalist Ottawa Gee-Gees, the Mustangs fought hard to make it to the top falling short 16 points to the Gee-Gees, overwhelmed by their offense. The Mustangs closed the season opening weekend with a game against the Carleton Ravens, which left Western short 46-86 to eight time CIS national champions visiting team. Despite two losses to the two toughest teams in the division, Western’s young team returns to the court this weekend with confidence testing York on Friday and Laurentian on Saturday.
York – Friday, Nov. 16 @ 8:00pm
York will host its season opening games at the Tait McKenzie Centre this weekend, making these games the first at home for the Lions this term. The Lions are currently 1-1, and hold a season record of 128 goals for and 146 goals against. Powerhouse David Tyndale is back fighting for the Lions, holding 11th place in the OUA with 35 total points and 17.5 points per game so far this season. York most recently defeated Brock in a close contest, trumping the Badgers by only one point 70-69. Western met the York last year when the Mustangs locked the Lions in a cage, defeating them 78-60. The Lions look for redemption at rival Mustangs this weekend in what is sure to be a competitive showing at York University.
Laurentian – Saturday, Nov. 17 @ 8:00pm
The Laurentian Voyageurs finished the 2011-2012 season with an 11-11 record and a seventh place standing. The Voyageurs have had a promising start to the 2012-2013 season earning a 1-1 record so far. Laurentian challenged the Brock Badgers in a competitive contest but fell just short, losing 88-93. Not satisfied with the loss, the Laurentian Voyageurs changed its pace against the McMaster Marauders to push past them by a slim point 65-64. The Voyageurs gained leads in the second quarter 27-13, and in the third quarter 18-16, to gain the extra edge needed to keep the Badgers paws off the ball in order to win the close contest. Laurentian hosts current third ranked player in the OUA, Alex Ratte, who has accumulated 46 points and averages 23 points per game. Western met Laurentian early in the 2011-2012 season and fell short to the Voyageurs 86-87. This season, the Mustangs aim not to fall for Laurentian’s slim-point-win-trap and prepare to challenge rival Voyageurs in a new season rematch.
The Western Mustangs men’s basketball team defends against the York Lions this Friday, November 16 at 8:00 p.m. on the road, the game will be webcast through SSN Canada, followed by a contest against Laurentian University on Saturday, November 17 at 8:00 p.m.
