Box Score WATERLOO, Ont.– It was a relatively quiet outing for Canada's top-scorer Jenny Vaughan, but the veteran's game-high 22 points was all that Western needed as they swept the season series on the road against the Waterloo Warriors, 78-55.
 
The Mustangs' starting five got their work done early, using their size advantage to dominate the boards and keep possessions alive by virtue of their hustle and grit.
 
Fifth-year frontcourt duo Katelyn Leddy and Melissa Rondinelli did their part in securing the paint in Western's favour. Leddy was all over the glass, finishing with a 13-point, 14-rebound double-double, the latter figure being the game-high for any player. Rondinelli was a force on offense, corralling five offensive rebounds; the long-time Mustang would finish with 14 points, eight rebounds and two steals while committing no turnovers.
 
Guards Caroline Wolynski and Kelsey Wright kept the Waterloo defense honest, forcing them to respect their long-range accuracy. Wolynski connected on three three-pointers while Wright was held to one completion from deep, each player taking five shots apiece. The added spacing allowed Vaughan and the post-players to execute their effective slashing-drives and post-plays.
 
Unlike in previous outings, Western sustained their flashy first-quarter offense in the second quarter while locking down on the Warriors on the defensive-end. Waterloo would go on to score only five points in the definitive second quarter.
 
The Warriors' Madison Behr would finish the game with a team-high 18 points, though none of her teammates would score over eight points in the affair, marred by poor 29.7% field-goal accuracy from the opening tip.
 
The 45-23 halftime lead would allow head coach Brian Cheng to give needed minutes to his young bench-unit, a group comprised of only one player with previous CIS experience coming into this season. Though the two teams played evenly over the second half, the final result would never be in question.
 
First-year Mustangs Victoria Heine and Mackenzie Puklicz led the charge from the bench, as the highly-touted players both logged 12 minutes of action. Heine, a forward, and Puklicz, a guard, continue to show their potential to blossom into pivotal cogs of Coach Cheng's program for seasons to come.
 
After last Wednesday's scheduled game at Windsor was postponed due to inclement weather, that game will go ahead on Tuesday, February 11 in Windsor. The battle will commence at 6:00 p.m. with Western looking to upset the Lancers, Canada's top-ranked team and a major contender for the championship title.