LONDON, Ont. –  The Western Mustangs fell in a tight 79-85 match against the University of Ottawa Gee-Gee's on Saturday Night at Alumni Hall. Having each gone into the match with a 16-2 regular season record, Western would walk out 16-3 with the Gee-Gee's rising to 17-2.  
 
While the Gee-Gee's were the first to put themselves on the board Saturday evening, Rachel Fradgley retaliated by making the Mustangs' first 6 points ones of her own. Marking what would need to be a strategic game if Western wanted to walk away with the win, Ottawa was quick to establish just as much of a desire for the W as they broke away and held a 4-point lead to the end of the first quarter.
 
The second quarter would prove to be just as high scoring as the first. Opening up 22-18 for the Gee-Gee's, it would only be a few minutes before each team breached 30. Emma Johnson of the Purple and White was consistent in her three-pointers, enabling for a steady climb, but Ottawa's Savannah Provo managed to keep her team just out of reach. Although Elizabeth Leblanc was just shy of hitting a buzzer-beating three-pointer, Western still managed to sneak into the lead and close the half 39-38.
 
Leblanc opened up the third quarter with a steal, sending it down the court to Horst who wouldn't hesitate in creating another opening for Fradgley. While the Gee-Gee's instilled a short lead over the Mustangs, the passing that was to take place between the Purple and White would ultimately give them an advantage. Brett Fischer made her first appearance on the board to pull the Mustangs within two points of the lead, and with some support from Leblanc and Morgan Tamminga, the game remained within reach. Point guard Natalie Liguori sunk an admirable three with Provo following up with one of her own at the last possible millisecond to push Ottawa to a 7-point lead.
 
The fourth quarter would be where Western's fatigue proved detrimental. Ottawa established a 13-point lead largely due to the strength and advantageous speed of their point guard, Brooklynn McAlear-Fanus. With just over two minutes of the match remaining, Julia Curran would shrink the 10-point lead to 8, and then again to 6, with her unwavering foul shots. Unable to make the comeback, Maddy Horst would bring Western to their final score of 79 with the Gee-Gee's triumphant at 85.
 
The Western Mustangs will return to the court on Friday, February 7^th at Alumni Hall. They'll face off against the Lakehead Thunderwolves in what will hopefully be their 17^th win of the season. The game is scheduled to begin at 4:00 P.M. EST.