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Western Mustangs Sports

Eriq Jenkins vs Windsor - Nov. 10, 2017
Jing Qu

Western falls to Ottawa in hard-fought contest

11/17/2017 3:05:00 PM

Box Score LONDON, Ont. - Third-year guard Eriq Jenkins scored a game-high 25 points on 11-16 shooting to lead the Western Mustangs in a 67-62 loss to the Ottawa Gee-Gees on Friday afternoon in Montpetit Hall.

With the loss, the Mustangs move to 3-3 on the season, as they remain in second in the OUA West Division, trailing the undefeated Brock Badgers. The Gee-Gees' win improves their record to 4-2 on the season, as they sit tied with Ryerson for second in a competitive OUA East division.

Following a win over the Lancers a week ago, the Mustangs continued their momentum into the first quarter against the Gee-Gees. Western found production from a collection of player to begin the game, moving the ball and finding the open man. Despite the productive offence to start the quarter, the defence was what helped the Mustangs get out to an early lead, as Western forced 10 turnovers in the first quarter alone to end the quarter with a slim 14-10 lead.

Ottawa did well to find open shots early in the second frame, but were unable to convert on their chances. However, the Gee-Gees began to turn to the fast break mid-way through the second, throwing the Mustangs off with their fast-paced offence and regaining the lead. Western would slow the pace and get control of their defence soon enough, but both teams would continue to trade baskets, as Ottawa would head into the half with a 30-28 lead.

Solid defence early in the quarter would give the purple and white the slim lead in the third, but turnovers on the other end would keep them from pulling away and making a sustained run. Rebounding continued to be an issue for Western, as the Ottawa offence would be allowed second-chance points despite the strong initial defence by the Mustangs. However, Western would lock things down to finish the frame, as Jenkins continued to lead the offence, heading into the fourth with a 46-42 advantage.

Ottawa came out focused to begin the final quarter of play, as the threes started falling with regularity to spread the Western defence and take a slim three-point lead. However, the Mustangs would remain in the game behind the offence of Jenkins and Omar Shiddo, who continued to create shots for themselves and others off the dribble.

The Mustangs full-court press, which they implemented early in the game, began to wear down the Gee-Gee offence late in the fourth as Western's perimeter defenders trapped the opposing guards. Both teams would continue to trade baskets down through the final minutes, but a clutch three from Ottawa's Calvin Epistola along with an and-one layup from Jean Emmanuel Pierre gave the Gee-Gees a 67-62 win.

The Mustangs will be back in action tomorrow, Saturday, November 18 where they will take on the Carleton Ravens in Ottawa, Ont. The game is set to begin at 8:30 p.m. and fans can catch the action live on OUA.tv.
 
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