LONDON, ON - It was an intense game at Alumni Hall tonight, as the Mustangs lost their first game of the season to the McMaster Marauders, 61-69. 

The Mustangs started strong tonight, with Ariane Saumure opening scoring right off the jump before the team went right into a tight man-on-man on the defensive end. 

It was a very physical game from the beginning, with both teams maintaining incredible defensive pressure for the entire first half. 

The defensive pressure from the Marauders was incredibly physical and, at times, aggressive. When it comes to overcoming this kind of play, Mustangs Head Coach Nate McKibbon said it's "just a change in mindset; I think that we were the nail more than the hammer today, and we've got to respond." 

The second half maintained the intensity we became accustomed to in the first two quarters. Unfortunately, the Mustangs could not utilise this energy to fully regain control, trailing closely behind for a significant portion of the game. 

"I think we still have a lot to work on, and myself, personally, I have a lot to work on as well. I think our team's energy will improve as the season goes on. We'll kill it in the end," said Madalyn Picton, a Mustangs guard, who ended the night with 12 points, equaling Sarah Harvey for the top score of the night. 

However, it did seem as though Western were able to maintain a similar pace to the Marauders in the last quarter, keeping the lead steady within striking distance right to the end. 

"I think it's good sometimes to lose a close game. It really shows what you have to work on, it shows what we need to improve as a team, and I think it kinda lights a fire under us," said Picton. "I think the harder we push ourselves from this loss. It will help us more in the long run and help us get to the OUA and USports Championships." 

The Mustangs will play their next game this Saturday, February 12 against McMaster, in Hamilton at 1pm. Fans can watch live at OUA.tv.