LONDON, Ont. – The women's basketball team defeated the York University Lions 76-71 in a thrilling overtime match on Saturday night. With one game remaining in the regular season, the Mustangs' record will rise to 18-3 while the Lions shrink to 14-14.
 
After losing possession off the jump, Maddy Horst was able to steal it back and charge down the court to kick the Mustangs' 21^st game of the season off with a lead. Good defense on both ends of the court would make the promise for a low-scoring match as, with less than five minutes remaining, the Mustangs led 9-7. Some inspiring passing between Horst and Johnson would lead to a clean three-pointer from the top of the circle, courtesy of Leblanc where she then followed it up with two free throws.
 
The second quarter opened up with 22-12 on the board for the Mustangs and an increase in intensity from both teams. While the Lions showed an improvement in shooting with baskets coming from guard Katrina Collins-Samuels and forward Cyanna King, Western proved that this win would require as much of their attention as possible. After losing their substantial lead, Morgan Tamminga would step out with a bloody nose and Rachel Fradgley would be helped off with a knee injury. Leading by 6, the half closed at 34-28 for the Purple and White.
 
The second half of the match began with a Lions' advantage. Forward Megan Macleod of the Red and White put up 8 points for York to close the gap while Western struggled to retaliate.  With York leading 54-53 and thirty seconds remaining, Julia Curran would step up to put Western back on top with 2 points before the buzzer sounded.
 
A spike in aggression would spice up the fate of the final quarter as York slid back into the lead. While Tamminga returned to the court, Fradgley was done for the game, and though no more injuries occurred, there was a rise in foul calls. York was persistent and pushy while Western was frustrated and feeling the pressure, and with three minutes to go, Brett Fischer would hit the basket to tie the game 61-all. Horst, Curran, and Leblanc would help turn that into a 5-point lead, but with under one-minute remaining, things were tense. Lion Lauren Golding would tie the score 66-66 with 25 seconds on the clock to send the match into overtime.
 
Horst would score first, forced to shoot from a distance each time because of congested paint. Fischer reappeared with more free-throws, and with 1:34 on the clock, Western led by 4. Horst put two more points up, and with Leblanc standing at the line, Western had sealed the deal 76-71 with 6 seconds remaining.  
 
The Western Mustangs will be returning to home course on Saturday, February 15^th at Alumni Hall against the Windsor Lancers. The game is scheduled to begin at 3:00 P.M EST.