LONDON, Ont. – The Mustangs defeated the Guelph Gryphons 71-61 Wednesday evening for the second time to make their first home game of the decade a win. With a 13-6 record, the Gryphons came in boasting nearly as many wins as that of the 'Stangs, but after a hard-fought battle, would leave Alumni Hall with a loss. The win will make for Western's 15^th this season.
 
The Gryphons called their first timeout three minutes into the match after feeling a substantial amount of heat from the Mustangs. Already leading by 9 points, the Mustangs had put on the pressure while the Gryphons struggled to hit anything but air. Maddy Horst led the Purple and White at 9 points with a little under five minutes remaining in the quarter, with Emma Johnson sitting close behind with two three-pointers under her belt.
 
The second quarter would open up 23-9 for the Mustangs and prove to be of a faster rhythm than the first. While the Gryphons had brute strength on their side, the Mustangs had accuracy and a strategic offense. With points from Sarah Holmes, Skyla Minaker, and Reece Mungar, the Gryphons' score would rise, but the 10+ point difference sitting between them and the 'Stangs would remain as the half closed 35-23 for Western.
 
Though the Gryphons stepped it up in the third quarter, Western maintained its distance. Brett Fischer put up 4 points while Elizabeth Leblanc used her height to its full defensive advantage. Morgan Tamminga went down with a hit to the face and would not return to the court. With 6 seconds remaining, Julia Curran put her fierce 80% free-throw success rate to use to make it 57-36 before the half's end.
 
"I think for us it was just a mindset," offered fifth-year guard Maddy Horst when asked about the strong win in comparison to their last match with Guelph. "We had a few injuries the last time we played them. I think that knowing we were going into this game totally strong, healthy, and ready to play really was the game changer."
 
The lead would spike to 20 points with less than five minutes remaining in the match. Western would begin to slow their pace in an attempt to run the clock, and the Gryphons would fight to make a comeback without much gain. Ivana Vujadinovic and Minaker would make steady contributions for the Red and Black, but with limited support from the rest of their team, it wouldn't amount to much. The Mustangs would end the game on a triumphant note as the marching band played them out on a 71-61 final.
 
When asked if there was anything the girls were looking to change before their next match against Carleton, Horst commented, "Rest. We have a nine-day break which is really nice. We're looking to get fully healed, recover, and just come back strong for the win."
 
The Mustangs will return to home court next Friday, January 31^st to face-off against the Carleton Ravens in their first meet of the season. The game is scheduled to begin at 6:00 P.M. EST.