The University of Western Ontario Mustangs nearly squandered away a 15-point lead before squeaking out a 75-69 victory over the visiting Brock University Badgers.
After facing a five-point deficit late in the first quarter, the Mustangs unraveled the Badgers' defense and took the lead at the 1:07 mark of quarter on a Lacey Knox 3-pointer. Western Ontario would quickly extended the lead after Knox forced a turnover and assisted a Laura Dally 3-point field goal. The Mustangs would take a eight-point lead into the first break thanks to a jumper from Caroline Wolynski.
Annabel Hancock's 3-pointer at the 5:23 point of the second quarter would extend the Mustang lead to 15 points. However, a rash of turnovers and second-chance points favoring Brock would allow the visitors to close the gap to only five points heading into the half.
Brock University fought back late into the fourth quarter, tying the game with a 3-pointer from Sarah Mallen with 6:34 left. The Mustangs would gain control less than a minute later off of Katelyn Leddy's two foul shots and would never surrender the lead.
The Mustangs were paced by Leddy's 23 points. Also chipping in were Jenny Vaughan and Dally who both provided 16 points. Despite being out-rebounded heavily on the offensive glass (22-9), the Mustangs held on to the lead through the majority of the game thanks to a 71-percent shooting mark from beyond the arc in the first half and holding the visitors to a paltry 36-percent from the floor.
Western Ontario will be in action again on February 8th as it travels to McMaster for a 6:00pm tipoff.
