Box Score OTTAWA, Ont. – The Western Mustangs men's basketball team opened their 2013-2014 regular season with a tough loss to the Ottawa Gee-Gees on Friday evening in at Montpetit Hall. Although the Mustangs were looking to post another victory after their win against the Acadia Axemen two weeks ago in exhibition play, they could not contain the Gee-Gees as the team was defeated 104-76 in their first OUA game of the year.

Greg Morrow led all Mustangs scorers with 13 points, with Gabe Soicher close behind with 10. Ottawa's Johnny Berhanemeskel led all players with 21 points on the night.

The Mustangs came out hard in the first quarter as Peter Scholtes was able to put some numbers on the board for the purple and white while Morrow made an impact with his hustle as he fought for every loose possession. Although the Mustangs started strong, the Gee-Gees led 26-18 after the first quarter and continued to gain momentum to close out the second quarter with a 55-37 advantage.

The Mustangs refused to roll over as the second half saw Morrow provide the first two baskets inside the paint as Western continued to battle. Forward Andrew Van Camp sunk a buzzer beater in the last seconds of the third to set the score at 77-49 in favor of the Gee-Gees at the end of the third quarter. 

The Mustangs shifted their strategy in the fourth when they moved to half-court play to attract more fouls, but the Gee-Gees offence was unstoppable. The Mustangs continued to push, but despite matching the Gee-Gees in scoring in the fourth quarter as both teams posted 27 points, the deficit would prove to be too wide and the Gee-Gees took the game 104-76.

The Mustangs are back in action for their second game of the season tomorrow evening when they take on the Carleton Ravens at 8:00 p.m. in Ottawa. Fans can watch the game live via the Ravens webcast.