The Mustangs men's basketball team will be looking to turn their luck around in their upcoming contests and snap a four game losing streak when the hit the road to take on the Brock Badgers and McMaster Marauders on Wednesday and Saturday, respectively.
Western currently sits in third place of the OUA West with a 3-6 record, behind Laurier and Windsor. Previous purple and white victories came from contests with Waterloo, Windsor and Toronto.
Greg Morrow continues to lead the Mustangs in his final CIS season, averaging 22.8 points per game. Peter Scholtes follows with 12.6 PPG while Anthony Spiridis averages 12.0 PPG. Jedson Tavernier led the Mustangs in their recent match against the Thunderbirds, recording a game-high 20 points, including five baskets from the perimeter.
The Mustang defence continues to be led by Morrow and Tom Filgiano who contribute 7.0 and 6.2 average rebounds per game. The teamwork of the starting lineup will be an integral part of their chances of victory in their next few contests.
Western at Brock - Wednesday, January 20 at 8:00 p.m. - Watch live on OUA.tv
The Brock Badgers sit on the top of the OUA Central Division with an impressive 8-1 record, earning them the third spot in the CIS Top 10. To date their only loss came at the hands of the Queen's Gaels, when they were outscored by six points back on November 21. The Badgers are in the midst of a winning streak that's seen them take the last five games, finding their most recent victory against the Waterloo Warriors.
In his third year with the OUA, Dani Elgadi leads his team with 22.9 points per game, scoring double digits in all contests to sit second in the OUA in points per game.
Three other Badgers average double digits this season, with Johneil Simpson at 17.2 PPG, Ryan Bennet at 12.9 PPG, and senior Matt Marshall with 11.6 points per game.
Elgadi is a key player for the Badgers defensively as well, recording 12.2 rebounds per game to lead the OUA. He will find defensive help with Marshall, who picks up 8.7 rebounds per game.
Western at McMaster - Saturday, January 23 at 8:00 p.m. - Watch live on OUA.tv
The Marauders have had a successful season thus far, picking up a 7-2 record that puts them only two points behind the leading Badgers in OUA Central. With early losses to Brock and Ryerson already on the books, the Marauders have since ran through all their opponents to boast a six game winning streak.
Five athletes boast a double digit scoring average, giving the Marauders a balanced offensive attack with scoring coming from throughout the lineup. Senior Leon Alexander tops the roster with 18.6 points per game followed by Connor Gilmore (14.0 PPG), Troy Joseph (13.2 PPG), Rohan Boney (10.4 PPG), and rounded out by junior Trevon McNeil (10.2).
Alexander is an integral part to the Marauder game, scoring double digits in every match this season and topping the scoresheet on multiple occasions. Defensively, the 6-5 Ajax native has proven to be just as strong with 6.0 rebounds per game. Leading the defensive effort is Joseph, who averages 8.6 rebounds per game.
