London, ON - It started like a summer storm. Raining threes from every side of the arc. Western's shooters stepped into rhythm and the ball never stuck. Imran Armstrong's pace cracked the seal, Lucas Sheets found space on the wing, and then Emmanuel Akot rose into an impressive three that made the crowd lift out of its seats. Algoma landed a few early counters but Western's poise held. By the horn it was 22 to 16 Western, the building buzzing and the Mustangs in full control of the temperature. 

In the second quarter the game slowed to a grind. Every layup had to be earned through contact and timing. Both defenses tightened like a vise and possessions felt precious. Algoma leaned into whistles and strung together fouls as well as and ones to climb. It hit 28 to 28 heading into a timeout and you could feel the air thicken. Out of the huddle Algoma tried to ride the surge, but Milan John cut through the lane, finished through contact for an and one, and steadied the floor. As he landed on his hand, the crowd fell quiet for a moment. With John shaken up on the play, Imran stepped in and calmly sank the free throw. Moments later Akot answered with his own and one, taking the hit and finishing strong. The crescendo came at the buzzer when Imran walked into a blazing three and sent Alumni Hall roaring. No one was surprised. That is what he does. Western jogged to halftime with belief humming. 

Out of the break, Western took the steering wheel and pressed the gas. The defense smothered dribble handoffs and bodied drives, and the first pass kept turning into the second and third. Sheets became the heartbeat. A big three from number fifteen, then another slicing layup, then a cut that turned into yet another finish as Imran kept dealing on time and on target. Matteo Zagar powered in a three point play and chased it with a soft touch at the rim. Tye Cotie cleaned the glass and pinned a layup against the window, and transition kept flowing. Algoma could only manage eleven in the frame while Western stacked twenty two. A timeout came with Western up double digits and the momentum felt permanent. 

The fourth quarter felt like a glide to the runway. Isaiah Young knocked down free throws, then fed Owen Urquhart for a clean basket on a slice to the cup. Sheets kept the pressure with a corner three and a calm pull up. Akot slipped through a gap for a smooth finish after another composed delivery from Imran. Raequon Pryce controlled the boards, Cotie protected the paint, and Joe Baggaley Lacerte stepped in to make two free throws. The last touches were about composure and sharing. The horn sounded on an 87 to 61 win that felt like a story told in chapters. Spark. Grind. Breakaway. Finish.

"I think its the energy and mindset, we came in right and hungry." said Raequon Pryce 

KEY STATS
Lucas Sheets - 19 points 7 rebounds 
Matteo Zagar - 16 points 5 rebounds 
Imran Armstrong - 12 points 9 assists 5 rebounds 
Emmanuel Akot - 9 points 5 assists 4 steals 
Milan John - 7 points 4 rebounds 1 assist 2 steals