LONDON, Ont. – The women's basketball team won their seventh game of the regular OUA season 87-64 against the Queen's Gaels Friday evening. Prior to the match, the teams each held a 5-1 record. With the loss, Queen's will drop to 5-2 and Western up to 6-1.
 
Mustangs guard Maddy Horst set the match off to a fast start with a quick three-pointer and another following soon after. The Gaels struggled to match Western's pace as the Purple and White returned rebounds quickly and traversed the court with minimal resistance. Foul shots allowed for Michelle Istead to put the Gaels on the board, but the first quarter ended with a 20-15 Mustang lead.
 
Though fewer fouls populated the second quarter, the Gaels still managed to put points on the board. With renewed conviction the Gaels worked to close the gap by making strong use of their forwards as both Chadwick and De Goede sunk baskets. Horst continued to pave the way by sinking threes, teammates Julia Curran and Elizabeth LeBlanc lending support in maintaining the widening margin. Curran sunk an additional foul shot but Istead was waiting for the return and put up 2 more before the end of the half.
 
The third quarter opened up with the Mustangs leading 43-33. While the pace remained quick, missed shots from both teams led to a slow climb in score. LeBlanc kept the Mustangs in it with her consistent foul shots and Rachel Fradgley in her reliable layups. Though Queen's put up 14 more points, the Mustangs held onto their momentum and maintained their lead by a steady 13 as they entered the fourth quarter.
 
Fouls proved to be the downfall of the Gaels as their incessant aggressions only led to points for the Purple and White. Curran made great use of the opportunity and contributed multiple foul shots to the Mustangs' growing lead. While Queen's succeeded in getting the ball down the court, they struggled with sinking baskets. Western's defence showed progress from the first quarter with less fouls and more tactile resistance, and as the clock ticked down, they slowed their pace to close the game at a solid 87-64.
 
The Mustangs women's basketball team will be returning to the court on Saturday, November 16^th against Ontario Tech University at Alumni Hall. The game is scheduled to begin at 6:00 P.M EST.