The Mustangs will aim to get back on the winning track this weekend when the team heads up to Sault Ste. Marie to take on the Algoma Thunderbirds on Friday and Saturday.

Western enters the week on an eight-game losing streak, including losses last week to Ottawa and Carleton.

The Mustangs took Ottawa to the limit on Friday, with the Gee-Gees edging out the purple and white 53-50 in front of over 1,100 fans in a Mustangs School Day Game, presented by Winmar. On Saturday the purple and white kept within striking distance in the first half, but Carleton pulled ahead quickly in the third quarter to cruise to a 78-57 victory.

Although Western didn't come away with the win, the game was a memorable night for Mustangs guard Mackenzie Puklicz as she moved past the 1,000-point mark late in the first half.

Western vs. Algoma – Friday, February 3 at 6:00 p.m. and Saturday, February 4 at 6:00 p.m. - Watch live on OUA.tv

The Mustangs will travel to Sault Ste. Marie to take on the 1-13 Algoma Thunderbirds on the road, as they look to snap their own eight-game losing streak and head into the final weeks of the season with a string of victories.
Despite their record, Algoma's offence has proven to be one of the most elite long-range threats in the country this season, which help them upset the then U SPORTS No. 1 Ravens back in November. Algoma is ranked sixth in three-point attempts per game, second in three-pointers made per game, and second in long-range efficiency.

However, despite their potency from beyond the arc, Algoma's offence struggles when forced to score from other areas of the floor. The Thunderbirds are currently sitting in the bottom-ten in the nation in field goals made per game as well as points per game.

Three players share the majority of the offensive load for Algoma, as Karina Cole, Karissa Kajorinne, and Jemerka Martin are all averaging around nine points per game to lead the Thunderbirds. Mairead Dunn, who has started nine games for Algoma, leads the team in both rebounding and shot blocking, averaging 5.8 rebounds and 1.8 blocks per game, respectively.

Western has shown the ability to be a lockdown defensive team at times this season, led by the constant perimeter pressure from guards Meredith McLeod and Laura Graham. The Mustangs held the Ottawa Gee-Gees to just 1-12 shooting from beyond the arc this past Friday, and if they can replicate that stifling defence, they will be well on their way to a pair of victories against the Thunderbirds this weekend.

The presence of recently-returned Victoria Heine will be essential to the upcoming matchups, as her rebounding ability will no doubt cause problems for an Algoma team which has struggled on the boards this season.

If Western can continue their high-level perimeter defence and energy on the boards, the Mustangs should be in a position to add to their win column entering the final stretch of the season.