Box Score GUELPH, Ont.- After a constructive holiday break, the Western Mustangs men’s basketball team were energized and ready to turn their season around. The Mustangs found themselves face to face with the Guelph Gryphons to start off 2013 and after a hard fought, nail biting game the Gryphons were victorious over the Western Mustangs with a final score 58-57, winning on a three pointer at the buzzer.

The Mustangs entered the new year energized, playing an exceptionally fast paced game. Peter Scholtes and Ryan Higgins started out exceptionally well on the offensive end each making two great jump shots in the first quarter to aim the Mustangs in the right direction. Western played very tight defence to start the game, forcing a series of Guelph turnovers. The first quarter ended with the score 11-10 in favour of the Gryphons.

The Mustangs came out strong in the second quarter as Western began to crash the boards and tried to create opportunities off of Guelph’s missed shots. A clutch three pointer from Higgins off of the assist from Jermaine Bernard early in the quarter energized the Mustangs and sparked enthusiasm in the Western bench. Western tried to rely on their fundamental skills and began to operate a very successful offence, providing them with the edge they needed, ending the first half up by a 26-24 score.

The score continued to be close and relatively low throughout the game as a result of great defence on both ends. Higgins found his touch in the third quarter scoring seven points, which included another great shot from beyond the arc. Unfortunately, Guelph continued to move the ball effectively on offence, finding the open shots, however Western clinched a small lead at the end of the third quarter with the score 40-39.

With the score so close throughout the game, it came down to the final quarter to determine who would come out on top. A few quick errors by the Mustangs created an opportunity for Guelph to pull ahead in the final stretch of the game.

Great offensive performances in the fourth quarter from the Mustang leaders including Greg Morrow and Scholtes kept the score relatively tight until the final minutes of the game. In the final seconds of the game, Guelph’s Dan McCarthy hit a clutch three pointer at the buzzer to win the game for the home squad 58-57.

Higgins played a great game for the Mustangs racking up fourteen points, 5 rebounds and 1 assist to lead the team in scoring, Scholtes also impressed, earning 10 points in only 23 minutes of action. McCarthy led all players with 20 points, including two three pointers and hitting each of his eight free throw opportunities.

Western's next game is on Saturday, January 5 against a very talented Brock University team. Brock is an offensive powerhouse and it is crucial that Western is flawless on defense in order to maintain their competitive edge. Game time is set for 3:00 p.m. at Alumni Hall.