Western Dominates Ontario Tech 75-38, Extends Unbeaten Head-to-Head Record to Six Games

Oshawa, ON – November 7, 2026 – The Western Mustangs women's basketball team delivered a commanding 75-38 victory over the Ontario Tech Ridgebacks on Saturday evening at the Campus Recreation and Wellness Centre (CRWC). Fueled by relentless defensive pressure, a dominant rebounding performance and a decisive 21-3 fourth quarter, the Mustangs secured their largest margin of victory in series history while extending their perfect all-time record against Ontario Tech to 6-0.

The 37-point victory improved Western's record to 3-2 on the season, while Ontario Tech fell to 2-4. The Mustangs forced 32 turnovers, recorded 17 steals and held the Ridgebacks to just 21.1% shooting from the field in one of their strongest defensive performances of the young season.

Western opened the contest with Natalie Van Heeswyk converting a second-chance layup for the game's first points. Ontario Tech briefly took a 3-2 lead following a three-pointer from Elliot Cowan, but Sydney Cowan quickly responded from beyond the arc to put the Mustangs ahead for good. Monique Monplaisir provided an immediate spark off the bench with consecutive baskets, including a fast-break layup following a steal by Nicole Daly. Paris Alexander added a three-point play after forcing a turnover, while Ainsley Lane connected from deep late in the quarter. Western's defensive pressure limited the Ridgebacks to just nine points, giving the Mustangs a 19-9 advantage after the opening 10 minutes.

The Mustangs continued to build momentum in the second quarter, dominating the offensive glass and capitalizing on second-chance opportunities. Cowan led the charge with a three-pointer and consecutive layups, extending Western's lead to 27-14. Van Heeswyk added another basket inside before Reese Burleigh made her presence felt off the bench, scoring twice in the paint to push the advantage to 35-16. Western's depth became increasingly evident in the closing minutes, as Payton Baker knocked down a three-pointer before turning a steal into a fast-break layup to establish a 21-point lead. The Mustangs collected 13 second-chance points in the quarter and outscored Ontario Tech 22-13, entering halftime with a commanding 41-22 advantage.

Western emerged from the break with renewed defensive intensity, led by an explosive stretch from Alexander. After Cowan forced an early turnover, Alexander converted a fast-break layup before recording two steals of her own and finishing consecutive transition baskets. She followed with another layup off an offensive rebound, scoring eight unanswered points for Western to extend the lead to 49-24 with 6:05 remaining. Burleigh added a three-pointer to stretch the advantage to 26 points, but Ontario Tech responded with a brief offensive push led by Sienna Rawana. The Ridgebacks matched Western's 13 points in the quarter, trimming the deficit to 19 as the Mustangs entered the final period ahead 54-35.

The Mustangs saved their most dominant stretch for the fourth quarter, overwhelming Ontario Tech on both ends of the floor. Daly opened the scoring with a three-pointer before Monplaisir added a layup and Emily Capretta connected from beyond the arc. Van Heeswyk followed with a basket inside to push the lead to 64-35 midway through the period. Western continued to find success from long range, with Cowan and Lane knocking down consecutive three-pointers before Monplaisir's layup extended the advantage to 37 points with 2:31 remaining. Baker capped off the victory with a late three-pointer as Western cruised to a 75-38 final.

Western outscored Ontario Tech 21-3 in the final quarter, holding the Ridgebacks to just one made field goal on 13 attempts while shooting 5-for-11 from three-point range. The Mustangs' defensive effort also prevented Ontario Tech from scoring a single fast-break point throughout the contest.

The victory was highlighted by Western's dominance in several key statistical categories. The Mustangs outrebounded Ontario Tech 53-33, including a 24-7 advantage on the offensive glass, generating 24 second-chance points. Western also capitalized on the Ridgebacks' 32 turnovers, converting them into 36 points while allowing just nine points off its own turnovers. The Mustangs' bench contributed 34 points, further demonstrating the team's depth and balanced offensive production.

Cowan led Western with 14 points, three rebounds and two steals, connecting on three of her five attempts from beyond the arc. Alexander followed with 11 points, four rebounds and a game-high four steals, highlighted by her eight-point surge to open the second half. Burleigh contributed eight points and nine rebounds, while Monplaisir added eight points, six rebounds and two assists. Baker also finished with eight points, shooting 3-for-5 from the field and 2-for-4 from three-point range. Van Heeswyk anchored the Mustangs' interior presence with a game-high 11 rebounds, seven points and three assists.

For Ontario Tech, Sienna Rawana and Elliot Cowan led the Ridgebacks with 10 points apiece, while Amarachi Achioso added five points. The Ridgebacks struggled to generate consistent offence against Western's defensive pressure, particularly in the final quarter.

Saturday's victory marked Western's sixth consecutive win over Ontario Tech dating back to the programs' first meeting on November 16, 2019. The 37-point margin surpassed the Mustangs' previous series-best 34-point victory on October 31, 2025, further extending Western's unbeaten history against the Ridgebacks.

With the win, Western moves above .500 at 3-2, carrying momentum forward following a convincing road performance.

Western Mustangs Statistical Leaders

• Sydney Cowan: 14 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 steals, 5-13 FG, 3-5 3PT

• Paris Alexander: 11 points, 4 rebounds, 1 assist, 4 steals, 5-18 FG

• Reese Burleigh: 8 points, 9 rebounds, 1 block, 3-9 FG

• Monique Monplaisir: 8 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 block, 1 steal, 4-9 FG

• Payton Baker: 8 points, 1 rebound, 1 steal, 3-5 FG, 2-4 3PT