After snapping their nine-game losing streak with a win over the Algoma Thunderbirds on Saturday night, the Western Mustangs are set for a split home and away week, with the Waterloo Warriors coming to Alumni Hall on Wednesday followed by a visit to the Laurier Golden Hawks on Saturday.

In their first matchup against the Thunderbirds, the Mustangs were unable to get the lid off the basket, shooting just 19% from the field, as their fourth-quarter run was unable to mount the comeback in the 51-43 loss. Despite their struggles earlier in the weekend, the Mustangs' second game was a different story for the purple and white as the offence got clicking early, leading to 13-22 shooting from beyond the arc.

The Mustangs now hold a 6-10 record heading into their final four games of the regular season. Currently the purple and white occupy the final playoff spot in the OUA, and will be looking to use these final contests to secure their spot in the post-season.

Western vs. Waterloo – Wednesday, February 8 at 6:00 p.m. – Tune in live OUA.tv and CHRW Radio

The 5-11 Waterloo Warriors will travel to Alumni Hall for their second meeting of the season against the Mustangs. The game will be one circled on the calendars of both teams as they jockey against each other for playoff positioning.

In their first matchup of the year, Western's perimeter defence vaulted them to their 57-50 win, as they held Waterloo to just 1-17 shooting from beyond the arc. The smothering Mustang defence was also the most effective fuel for their offence throughout the game as Western forced 28 turnovers and converted them into 26 points.

Through the rest of the season, Waterloo has remained around the middle of the pack in terms of turnovers, but is ranked in the top ten in three-point attempts. Western's perimeter pressure from their guards will be looking to force Waterloo into taking contested threes once again to limit opposing scoring runs.

The Warriors are led by fourth-year guards Kristen Osbourne and Emily Wilk who are averaging 11.8 and 10.8 points per game, respectively. Interim head coach Craig Nickel will be at the helm for Waterloo as they look to pick up some late-season victories. Nickel, who took over the program in November, comes to the team with a wealth of basketball experience outside the OUA as well as working as an assistant on the Waterloo women's basketball team from 2000-2004. He's also no stranger to London, as he holds and Education degree from Western.

Western at Laurier – Saturday, February 11 at 1:00 p.m. – Watch live on OUA.tv.

After their home contest on Wednesday night the Mustangs will hit the road on Saturday attempting to avenge a 69-64 loss to the Golden Hawks on November 23. Since then, Laurier has continued to grow and evolve, and come into this week in second place in the OUA West with an 11-6 record.

The success of the Golden Hawks revolves around the three-point line on both ends of the floor. Laurier has proven to be one of the most lethal team from beyond the arc in U SPORTS, ranking second in three-point attempts per game and sixth in three-pointers made per game. On the other side of the ball, Laurier is ranked in the top ten in the nation in opponents' three-point percentage, making things difficult for opposing shooters.

Western's biggest advantage will come in terms of size. If forwards Victoria Heine and Julia Curran can both boast big rebounding performances, it will go a long way in toppling a Laurier team which has struggled on the boards all year.

Laurier is led by fifth-year and fourth-year guards Kaitlyn Shenck and Nicole Morrison, who are leading the Golden Hawks in scoring with 15.8 and 15.6 points per game, respectively. Shenck and Morrison both proved to be problems against the Mustangs in their previous matchup, as Morrison poured in a team-high 23 points, while Shenck contributed 20 in the win.

Leading Laurier from the bench will be Manager of Basketball Operations & head coach for the Golden Hawks, Paul Falco. Falco is a proven figure in the OUA basketball realm, as he was named 2010-2011 OUA Women's Basketball Coach of the Year and has had continued success with the team.