THUNDER BAY, Ont. - Third-year guard Omar Shiddo scored a game-high 26 points on an efficient 50 FG% to lead the Western men's basketball team in a competitive 79-73 road loss to the Lakehead Thunderwolves on Saturday evening.

The loss drops the Mustangs' record to 12-6 on the season, as they slide into third place in a competitive OUA West division. The Thunderwolves' victory improves their record to 6-12, where they now occupy sixth place in the OUA West division standings.

Three other Mustangs managed to score in double-figures for the purple and white in the loss. Marko Kovac scored 13 points, while Julian Walker added 11 points and nine rebounds on the night. Western point guard Nikola Farkic flirted with a triple-double throughout the game, totaling 11 points, nine rebounds, and seven assists to help facilitate the offence.

Western seemed to control the first half, despite falling to Lakehead the day prior. Shiddo was the key factor through the opening two quarters of play, scoring 14 points in the first half alone and willing the purple and white to the slim 37-34 lead heading into halftime.

However, Lakehead dominated the offensive rebounding battle in the second half, beating Western to the boards and earning second-chance points along the way. Farkic continued to seemingly see everything in the Western offence with his passing ability, but a number of key factors such as rebounding and free throw shooting were simply too glaring to overcome, as Western suffered the 79-73 as they prepare for a return home this week in Alumni Hall.

The Mustangs will be back in Alumni Hall this Wednesday, January 30, where they will host the Laurier Golden Hawks in their second and final meeting of the season. The game is scheduled to tip off at 8:00 P.M. EST in Alumni Hall and fans can catch all the action live on OUA.tv.