LONDON, ON - A close call for the Mustangs after trailing Waterloo for most of the game, they manage a last-minute comeback and outscore the Warriors 86-82 on Friday night. 

 Tensions were running high at Alumni Hall, as the Western Mustangs and Waterloo Warriors faced each other for the first time this season. Throughout much of the game, the Warriors outscored the Mustangs, beginning with forward Nedim Hodzic opening the scoring for Waterloo. 

It took a consistent effort on both ends of the court to ensure tonight's victory. After trailing for almost the entire game, the Mustangs managed to finally pull ahead with 1:13 left in the 3rd quarter. "We were slow to start, we were slow, especially on the defensive boards, but in the second half, we turned up, our energy was there", said Mustangs guard Jerric Palma. Palma was one of the night's top performers, scoring 11 points in 27 minutes of play. 

The Mustangs' defensive pressure proved to be challenging for the Warriors, as they successfully ran down the shot clock and forced Waterloo to make rushed shots. They played a solid full-court press in the first half; however, the Mustangs did not implement their overall defense at a level they would've liked. Omar Shiddo, Mustangs guard, spoke to this, noting that "the strategy was good, but just wasn't executed at all, at the end of the day, the coach can draw up whatever they want, but if we can't cover the guy in front of us, it's not going to work". 

Shiddo was once again Western's top scorer of the night, totaling 31 points, making 27 of these in the second half, an effort applauded by Mustang's Men's Basketball Head Coach Brad Campbell, who spoke of the "massive impact on the game... being the closer and making some clutch baskets and free throws down the stretch". Campbell also recognized the contribution that rookie Isaiah Pemberton made, noting how he "made a big 3 in the fourth-quarter and really helped us defensively that we struggled with in the first half... it was really great to see [him] step up". 

Also in attendance at this evening's match was the 1990-91 Mustangs Men's Basketball team, ahead of their Western Mustangs Sports Hall of Fame induction tonight. The 1990-91 Championship team are being awarded for their efforts as a group and the legacy they helped build within the Men's Basketball program here at Western. 

The Mustangs will now travel to Waterloo for their next matchup tomorrow night, at 6 pm. Fans can watch live at OUA.tv.