Box Score LONDON, ON -
The Mustangs looked to bounce back against the Waterloo Warriors on Friday evening. The Mustangs were without their veteran guard Samantha Vidovic for the contest.
Western came out hustling on offense, moving the ball around and driving to the paint. Sarah Harvey was key for the Mustangs, standing tall on defense and working her way in the paint. The Warriors led after the first 10 minutes 16-15.
The Mustangs shooting helped them get into the game and build a lead against the Warriors. Jenna Button knocked down two threes and drew fouls under the rim. She came alive in the quarter and finished the half with 12 points. Harvey continued to shine with her mid-range shooting and rim protection presence. Western went into the break leading by 7 points, 38-31.
In the third quarter, the Mustangs continued to fight and extended their lead up to 12 points. Western led 58-44 heading into the final frame.
The Mustangs extended their lead to as much as 17 points in the fourth quarter. They closed out the game 68-58, earning their 12th win of the season.
Waterloo showed why they are the best rebounding team in the country, pulling down 20 boards to Western's 6 in the first half. However, the Mustangs showed their fight and grit and broke even on the glass, each team pulling down 28 boards in final 20 minutes.
"Rebounding was important for both [halves]. We know that they're the best rebounding team in the country, so we had to be at our best, and I thought if anything we played a good first half, but we really raised our level in the last two quarters. And I think some of it was rebounding and the rest was just our pressure not getting into rebounding situations", said Head Coach Nate McKibbon.
McKibbon also preached on the teams' pressure. "I thought our pressure was really good. I thought we kept them back on their heels the whole time and they just couldn't get organized. Our team just really bought into trapping and playing in the full court and it was just sort of fun to see that."
Western is back tonight at Alumni Hall against the Laurier Golden Hawks at 6PM EST. This marks their final regular season OUA game before the post-season begins. Tune in on OUA.tv.
KEY STATS
G | Jenna Button - 22 PTS (3-6 3PT) , 8 REBS
F | Sarah Harvey - 10 PTS, 4 REBS, 4 BLKS, 2 STLS
F | Annie Balfe - 11 PTS, 3 REBS, 4 ASTS, 4 STLS
