SUDBURY, Ont - With the lead changing 16 times and the score tied 11 times, the Mustangs were able to snag the victory in an overtime thriller with a final score of 87-80 over the Laurentian Voyageurs at the Ben Avery Gymnasium on Saturday night.
 
The Mustang record updates to 11-6 keeping them in second place in the OUA West division, right behind the Windsor Lancers. The Laurentian Voyageurs record moves to 6-9 keeping them in third place in the OUA North division standings.
 
In an outstanding game of sound basketball, four Mustangs hit double digits. Greg Morrow topped the team with 23 points, with captain Quinn Henderson following close behind with 21. A huge contributor late in the game was Jedson Tavernier who sunk 16 points for the Mustangs, and Anthony Spiridis with 14 of his own. The Voyageurs had four players of their own hit double digits with Tychon Carter-Newton recording the game-high 26 points. Sam Hirst's impressive defensive of 14 rebounds was a huge help to the Voyageurs tough play.
 
The Voyageurs proved right from tip-off that they wouldn't let the Mustangs get in the lead without a fight. Playing a more physical game, both teams provided a defensive challenge that ended up in bonus territory with three minutes left in the quarter. With the players going back and forth for a majority of the frame, the Voyageurs were able to get the one point lead with a score of 19-18 going into the second frame.
 
The back and forth lead changes did not stop in the second frame. Both teams fought hard to make sure they were in the lead, but could never extend their lead to more than one possession before the other tied the score. A basket for the purple and white in the last minute of play brought the Mustangs into the lead at the end of the first half with a score of 35-33.
 
The Voyageurs started the second half of the game with no intention to decrease the defensive pressure on the visiting Mustangs. A basket by Carter-Newman brought the Voyageurs in the lead and they were determined to keep it that way. Capitalizing on the Mustangs missed shots, the Voyageurs were able to keep their lead by making smooth plays in the key to keep up their lead. The Voyageurs took a lead of six points with a score of 55-49 at the end of the third quarter.
 
The stage was set for a thrilling fourth frame with the Mustangs catching up to be within two points in less than one minute into the quarter. With less than two minutes left in the game, the Voyageurs defence boxed out any plays in the paint preventing successful Mustang baskets and giving them the opportunity to get ahead by three points. With one minute left in the game first-year Mustang Tavernier sunk a shot from the perimeter tying the game at 70 a piece. An increased defence from both teams kept the score at 70-70 at the end of the fourth, sending the game into overtime.
 
Overtime play was no different with both teams looking to gain the upperhand. As the Mustangs scored to keep their lead, the Voyageurs were never far behind, matching their shots to catch up and tie multiple times. An offensive rebound by Stevan Manojlovic was finished with a basket that brought the Mustang lead to three going into the last minute of play. With Henderson finishing the game sinking four points at the free throw line, the Mustangs took the victory in overtime with a score of 87-80.
 
The Mustangs return to the court on Saturday, February 14 in Thunder Bay to go against the Lakehead Thunderwolves. Tip-off is at 8 p.m. and can be caught live at OUA.tv.