GUELPH, Ont. - After three back-and-forth frames between Western and Guelph on Saturday night, the Mustangs managed to take the lead in the fourth quarter and hold on for a 64-57 win.
 
Saturday's result, which came in both team's first game of 2016, gives Western a record of 5-3 -- enough to put them in first place in the OUA West alongside Windsor. The loss bumps the Gryphons from first place to second in the OUA Central Division.
 
Caroline Wolynski led the Mustangs with 18 points to help secure the win for the purple and white. Mackenzie Puklicz also made it into double digits, adding 15 points—eight from free throws. Puklicz was not only successful in making baskets but also at the boards, snatching 11 rebounds. First year Julia Curran matched Puklicz, also grabbing 11 rebounds.
 
Guelph may have lost the match but it was Gryphon Kate MacTavish who was the top scorer of the night. Her 100% accuracy on free throws helped her add seven points to the 19 she contributed for home team. Bridget Atkinson was Guelph's second top scorer of the night, contributing 10 points.
 
Both teams started 2016 off strong, playing hard from the tip-off and making it difficult for either squad to take control. Western sunk the first basket one minute in, but the home team responded by tying the score and then taking the lead.
 
The Gryphons maintained the lead throughout the quarter but ended the first ten minutes just one point ahead of Western at 16-15.
 
The Mustangs used the second period to nearly double their points from 15 to 29. The Gryphons were unable to match the Mustangs' scoring, and the half ended at 29-27 for Western.
 
The second half proceeded similarly to the first after the teams returned from the dressing rooms. The third quarter saw both teams fighting for the lead, as they remained within three points of each other throughout the ten minutes. It would be the Gryphons who ended the frame ahead 43-40.
 
But the Mustangs turned up the heat in the final quarter. Trailing behind the Gryphons at the start of the period, they managed to tie the score at 46-46 three minutes in. From there, Western continued to make key rebounds and shots, putting up 24 points compared to the home team's 14 in the final ten minutes to secure the win. 
 
For their first home game of 2016, the Mustangs will face the Algoma Thunderbirds on Friday, January 15 at Alumni Hall. The game is set for 6 p.m. and will be live-streamed on OUA.tv.