LONDON, Ont – A 10-0 run to start the game, followed by a 22-4 lead at the end of the opening quarter helped lead the Western Mustangs to a 76-48 win over the Laurier Golden Hawks on Wednesday night at Alumni Hall.
 
The Mustangs improve to 12-7, keeping them in second place in the OUA West Division standings right behind the Windsor Lancers. The Laurier Golden Hawks trail behind the Mustangs in third place with a record of 7-12 in the same divison.
 
Captain and fifth year player Quinn Henderson was honoured before the game to celebrate his career as a Mustang on Senior Day in his final OUA regular season home game. He went on to sink 10 points in addition to leading the defence with seven rebounds and four steals. Along with Henderson, the rest of the Mustangs starting lineup recorded double digits with Greg Morrow leading the pack at 18 points. Owen Coulthard of the Golden Hawks led his team with 10 points.
 
"It was a good win for us because that was a playoff team," said Mustangs head coach Brad Campbell. "Each game is different. Hopefully we get some momentum and some confidence from this game, but we put it behind us and get ready for Waterloo, who although they are not making the playoffs, will be very dangerous on Saturday. We're just trying to get better for that playoff game on Wednesday and see how far we can make a run in the playoffs."
 
The Mustangs came out fierce from the gate starting with a 10-0 run that saw Charles Drouin sink six points within the first three minutes. The Stangs laid defensive pressure on right from tip-off as the Golden Hawks struggled to find the bottom of the basket until the five minute mark. But the Mustangs wouldn't let the Hawks get more than four points as they increased their lead to 22-4 by the end of the first frame.
 
The second quarter was no different than the first, with the Mustangs driving the ball in the lane to sink multiple baskets and gain a 32-point lead by the five minute mark. Midway through the quarter, Laurier stepped up their offence to add some digits onto the visitor's side of the scoreboard, however, the large differential proved too difficult for the Golden Hawks to overcome, as they only came within 23 points of the Mustangs who amassed 41-18 lead at halftime.
 
The second half of the game saw the Golden Hawks force the Mustangs fight a little harder to keep their score on top. Laurier came back from halftime eager to start offensive plays and creep closer to their opponents. Yet, multiple turnovers and a lack of success from the key prevented the Golden Hawks from catching up, once again trailing by 23 at frame's end with the score reading 57-34.
 
The Mustangs never relinquished their large lead into the final frame. Despite the Golden Hawks best efforts, the the Stangs were able to keep the Hawks at bay and end their final home game of the regular season with a 76-48 victory. 
 
The Mustangs will end the OUA regular season by visiting the Waterloo Warriors on Saturday at the PAC Gym. Tip-off is at 3 p.m. and can be watched live on OUA.tv.