SAULT ST. MARIE, ON - The Mustangs will return home to London having collected their first wins of the season, outscoring Algoma by a total of 31 points in each game.  

The weekend's first game opened with an impressive 12-0 scoring run from the Mustangs in the first four minutes of play. 


Western shot almost 67% from the field compared to Algoma at 35.7% in the first quarter. The Mustangs were also strong on the other end of the court. A solid transition defense allowed them to double-team the Thunderbirds' ball handler, effectively shutting them down. 


With an impressive three-point shot from Noah Otshudi, the first quarter ended with the Mustangs in the lead, 26-11. 


The Thunderbirds managed to hold the Mustangs' lead within 10 points 3 minutes into the quarter, prompting a timeout from Western. After the break, the Mustangs were quick out the gate and were moving the ball down the court much faster and more efficiently, giving them several quick scoring opportunities. 


By the end of the first half, the game was still close, with the Mustangs up by 14, at 42-28. 


Algoma was still paying strong in the third quarter and managed to out-score the Mustangs by a slim margin, 19-16, to start the second half. However, this effort wasn't enough to overpower Western. The Mustangs were able to fend off the Thunderbirds from having the lead at any point during the game. 


With just under five minutes remaining in the fourth quarter, Western had pulled ahead to a comfortable lead at 81-53 after out-scoring Algoma 30-10 in the final ten minutes. 


The Mustangs ended the Friday night matchup collecting their first win of the regular season, up 88-57. 

There was great ball movement from Western right off the bat, with the Mustangs holding firm on defense and causing several turnovers while Algoma was trying to set up for a shot. With both teams fighting hard the entire quarter, the score ended with a 12-point lead for Western at 28-16. 


Algoma was much quicker on the transition in the second quarter and was doing an excellent job of holding the Mustangs within a 10-point difference throughout the final few minutes of the first half.


Western was effectively finding the open lane and powering through on the drive, but this was the only quarter of this match where Algoma was able to out-score the Mustangs, as the Thunderbirds went 25-18, ending the first half with the Mustangs holding a narrow lead at 46-41. 


Throughout the third quarter, the score remained close, with both teams still fighting hard on both ends of the court. 


The Mustangs were strong on the rebound. This, combined with improved scoring accuracy in the game's final half, was the key to this Western victory. As the game ended, the Mustangs had collected a 31-point lead and their second win of the weekend with a final score of 96-65. 


The Mustangs return home to London for their 2022 Season Home Opener at Alumni Hall on Friday, November 18, at 8 pm against Laurentian. Fans can purchase tickets at WesternMustangs.ca/tickets.