Western win sets up road match with McMaster in OUA quarterfinals
GUELPH, Ont. - The Mustangs edged out the Guelph Gryphons with a four-point victory on Wednesday night, allowing them to progress to the Critelli Cup Quarter-final in Hamilton. Western finished the regular season as the OUA West's fifth-ranked team, holding a record of 13-11.
Julia Curran and Victoria Heine led the purple and white offence in the first round victory over Guelph, recording a respective 22 and 21 points apiece. Heine was also the top rebounder for the Mustangs, with four offensive and ten defensive rebounds to complete the double-double.
Mackenzie Puklicz is traditionally the team's highest scoring athlete, leading the team through the regular season with an average of 18 points per game to total 431 throughout the season. The fifth year veteran racks up the highest number of points, but it's Curran and Heine who lead the team in accuracy – both finishing the season with more than 40% of their shots moving up the purple and white score.
The one area of the game that has consistently caused problems for the Mustangs, however, has been the rate at which they can rack up personal fouls. Western averages 13.4 fouls per game to lead the OUA – which can become problematic if the score is tight throughout the game.
January's contest between McMaster and Western saw the Marauders come away with an 83-80 win, with 14 points being earned from the free throw line.
Friday, February 23 at 1:00 pm – Western at McMaster – Watch LIVE on OUA.tv
The Marauders earned a first round bye after finishing first in the OUA West with a 20-4 record, making Friday's contest their first of the post season.
McMaster's regular season success was in part informed by the team's ability to score from outside the arc. Few teams in the league are comparable to the Marauders when it comes to three-pointers, with the team leading the league in attempts (27.6) and baskets (8.6). Accuracy wise, they remain ranked among the best in the league with a 31.2 percent of shots going in.
Hilary Hanaka has been anchoring the effort throughout the season, ending with a 41.3 three-point percentage after 19 games. The veteran guard played a large role in the success of the Marauders over the Mustangs in the regular season, with Hanaka putting up 15 points in the first meeting, and 20 in the second.
She also racked up 16 points last season on February 25 when the Marauders topped Western in the OUA Quarter-final. The game saw four different McMaster players record ten or more points, but Hanaka is the only one that remains on the roster.
Source: Western Mustangs