TORONTO - Caroline Wolynski had her most impressive game of the season, putting up 17 points and eight rebounds, while also picking up five steals to keep the Toronto Varsity Blues within reach. But Toronto had just enough in the tank to stay on top as the Mustangs fell 58-63 at the Goldring Centre in Toronto.
 
The loss puts the Mustangs 0-4 on the season so far and in last place within the OUA West division. The Varsity Blues tack on the win to a 2-2 record and sit in second place in the OUA East division. 

The Mustangs' first quarter troubles continued when the Varsity Blues went on a 9-0 run to start the game. Nearing five minutes of play, Maddy Horst hit a jumper to get the first Mustang points on the board.
 
Ball movement came easier to the Mustangs as the quarter dwindled down. Wolynski made a hard drive to the basket for a jumper with three minutes left to play, while Mackenzie Puklicz found Meredith McLeod on the outside for a three pointer to bring Western within six points near the end of the quarter.
 
Offense picked up in the second quarter for the Mustangs, starting with McLeod who went to the foul line for three free throws, and made them all. Wolynski complemented her effort by converting back-to-back steals on Toronto possessions with under a minute to play. This momentum helped the the Mustangs go on a 10-2 run to end the half and pull within four points of the lead.
 
Puklicz started the second half at the foul line and Sasha Samardzija followed with a jumper to maintain offensive momentum. But Toronto countered with excellent team play that kept them competitive with the Mustangs. The purple and white faced a break in the third quarter when Toronto guard Jill Stratton ran into trouble getting her shots to fall. Stratton came into the game averaging 19 points per game, but only managed five against Western.
 
The fourth quarter began with the Mustangs in an eight point deficit. Wolynski's driving layup for her 14th point put the lead within six points. But trouble with three pointers would prevent Western from gaining more ground, as they went 0-8 in the quarter and 2-23 for the game from the the three-point line.
 
Nail-biting started with 30 seconds left to play, when a Puklicz free throw made it a four point game. But three unanswered Toronto free throws would be enough to finish it off, dishing the Mustangs the loss.
 
Western is on the road again next week with two games at Algoma, the first of which is November 21. You can catch all the action live on OUA.tv.