WINDSOR, ON - It was an intense matchup with the Western Mustangs facing the Windsor Lancers, with both teams entering the game aiming to secure their fifth win in this final game of 2023, as the Mustangs fell 59-56.
The first minutes of the quarter showcased strong and clean defense from both sides, with the first foul call coming in at the four-minute mark against the Mustangs.
The first scoring play of the afternoon came from Emily Capretta, as she sank a three just 30-seconds into the match.
Windsor managed to take the lead back by one point, but the Mustangs responded well after a timeout, scoring on their next four possessions and going up 13-10 with three minutes remaining in the quarter.
The Mustangs were resilient, holding tight defensively. Windsor closed the gap to a one-point differential, as the first was characterized by a closely contested battle, with only a couple of possessions making the difference.
The first quarter came to an end with the Mustangs in the lead at 19-15.
Moving into the second quarter, MacKeely Shantz scored off the Mustangs' first possession, but Windsor immediately responded with a 3-pointer.
Windsor showcased tight defense, keeping the score tied at 29 each with just shy of 4 minutes remaining in the half.
The Lancers displayed quick reflexes, jumping on the loose ball, and eventually tying the score once again despite the Mustangs slightly pulling ahead.
The Lancers secured a one-point advantage in the final seconds of the half, going into halftime with a narrow lead of 32-31 over the Mustangs.
In the second half of the game, the Mustangs faced a challenging start, collecting three fouls against them in the first three minutes of the third quarter.
Despite this slower start, the Mustangs did a great job of keeping the Lancers within reach, remaining tight on defense, and making smart plays consistently.
The Mustangs managed to take back the lead, going up by two with a little over four minutes remaining.
Notably, Western scored three-points on two of their first three possessions in this quarter, showcasing a shift in their offensive strategy compared to the first half, which saw only two three-pointers total.
The three-point shots became defining in this quarter for the Mustangs, as they capitalized on an extended three-point run.
Western hit four three-pointers, contributing to their extended lead, up 5 points.
Despite a slow start with constant fouls against them, Western solidified their momentum, remaining in the lead with two minutes remaining in the quarter.
As the third quarter concluded with the Mustangs leading 49-45.
Entering the fourth quarter, Western aimed to continue their strong momentum from the third. However, Windsor had a strong start, literally going down to the floor and regaining control.
The Lancers maintained this momentum throughout the fourth quarter, and despite the Mustangs' efforts, they trailed by three with just shy of 30 seconds remaining in the game.
Despite a valiant effort and an impressive third-quarter performance, the Mustangs fell just short of securing their fifth season win heading into the winter break, ultimately trailing by three.
The final score read 59-56 in favor of Windsor, as Shantz led scoring for the Mustangs this afternoon, collecting 18 points and 8 rebounds.
The Mustangs' next game will be in the New Year, returning back home on January 05 against the Laurier Golden Hawks at Alumni Hall. Tip-off is at 6 pm, and fans can purchase tickets at WesternMustangs.ca/tickets.
