Wednesday, February 24, 2010

Western 70, Laurier 89

Tonight was not the Western Mustang's night ending with an upset to Laurier 70-89. Both Ryan Barbeau and Andy Wedemire put up 22 points in this game but it was not enough to defeat the Goldenhawks. This was the final game for senior Jason Milliquet with no years of eligibility left. "We picked the worst time to play our worst game. We were flat and go down early and could not recover." Coach Brad Campbell.

TODAY: Playoffs - Mustangs vs. Laurier 7pm Alumni Hall

Get to Alumni Hall for exciting Mustangs Playoff Action as the Mustangs take on the Laurier Golden Hawks 7pm Alumni Hall

To Purchase Tickets Click Here

Tuesday, February 23, 2010

Mustangs in Today's London Free Press

Click Here for link to today's article in the London Free Press.

OUA West quarter-final game set for Wednesday against Laurier


Story by Lindsay English - Mustangs Athletics
Pic- Jason Milliquet

LONDON, Ont. - As the Men’s basketball team closed out their regular season with back-to-back games against Lakehead this past weekend, their focus will quickly shift to their OUA West quarter-final game Feb.24 against Wilfred Laurier. The fourth place Mustangs will tip-off against the fifth place Golden Hawks at 7 p.m. at Alumni Hall.

Western was the winner of the regular season series winning both games Jan.9 80-77 at Alumni Hall and Jan.30, 78-70, at Laurier Athletic Centre.

The Golden Hawks secured their playoff berth on Feb.17 against Brock defeating them 78-65 knocking Brock out of a playoff position. Laurier earned their OUA West quarter-final game against Western by taking fourth place from the Waterloo Warriors with a 67-63 win putting them into fifth place. The play of Jesse Macdonald (Brantford, Ont.), Maxwell Allin (Chatham, Ont.) and Kale Harrison (Stratford, Ont.) has been stellar for the Golden Hawks combining for 888 of Laurier’s 1,568 total points.

The Mustangs finished their regular season with a 60-59 win on Feb 19 and an 89-65 loss at Lakehead this weekend. The Mustangs made a point of resting their starters in preparation for Wednesday’s quarter-final game. Head coach Brad Campbell says it’s important for his key players to play well.

“At this time of year you always need role players to step up and play well,” says Campbell.

Andrew Wedemire (Sarnia, Ont.) achieved a personal milestone of reaching 1,000 career points in the game on Friday night. The Mustangs will be looking to him for points as well asRyan Barbeau (Belleville, Ont.) and Garrett Olexiuk (Burlington, Ont.) as they start their playoff journey. Campbell says his team is feeling confident as they go into Wednesday’s game.

“(The) team feeling is confident right now. We had a good trip to Lakehead last weekend and are ready for playoff basketball,” says Campbell.

Game time is set for 7 p.m. Wednesday Feb.24 at Alumni Hall for the OUA West Quarter-final game. If Western wins they will advance to the OUA West Semi final Feb.27 in Windsor at 8 p.m. Tickets are available half an hour before tip-off or available online atwww.westernmustangs.ca

Monday, February 22, 2010

Playoffs: Mustangs vs. Laurier Wed. Feb 24th 7pm


The OUA West Playoffs are set. The Mustangs who finished 4th will face the 5th place Luarier Golden Hawks Wed. Feb 24 at 7pm at Alumni Hall on the Campus of Western Ontario.


Come out and Support Your Mustangs!!

Mustangs in Today's London Free Press

For article Click Here

Sunday, February 21, 2010

Regular season ends with loss to Lakehead

by Lindsay English - Mustangs Athletics

HUNDER BAY, Ont. - With a playoff spot already secured and little on the line, the Western Mustangs closed out their 12-10 2009-2010 season with an 89-65 loss to Lakehead Feb. 20 to finish the regular season in fourth place in the OUA's West division.

Garrett Olexiuk
(Burlington, Ont.) led the Western Mustangs in scoring with 15 points.

The Mustangs made a point of resting a number of starters in preparation for their playoff match Wednesday night Feb. 24 at Alumni Hall when they take on the Wilfrid Laurier Golden Hawks at 7 p.m. Western won both regular season games between the two team

Andy Wedemire - did not play.

Saturday, February 20, 2010

Mustangs Win Thiller vs. Lakehead

by Lindsay English - Mustangs Athletics

THUNDER BAY, Ont. - The Western Mustangs rarely held a lead during the game but they had it when it counted, squeaking out a 60-59 victory over the first-place Lakehead Thunderwolves Friday Feb. 19. Lakehead held the lead for most of the game but with the score tied at 59-59 with less than a minute left, the Thunderwolves were called for an offensive foul under the Mustangs basket. Andy Wedemire (Sarnia, Ont. ) went to the free-throw line and dropped one of his two foul shots for the one-point lead and the Mustangs hung on for the victory in the frantic final seconds. Wedemire led all scorers with 21 points on the night which saw him eclipse 1,000 career points over his four seasons at Western "I'm thrilled Andy was able to reach this milestone," said Mustang head coach Brad Campbell after the game. "Andy has gone through various injuries through his career to become an outstanding scorer." Both Lakehead and Western will close out the regular season Saturday night Feb. 20 when the two teams meet again in Thunder Bay. The Mustangs will open the playoffs at home Wednesday night Feb. 24 when they host either Laurier or Waterloo in an OUA West Division quarter-final game.

Friday, February 19, 2010

Western 60, Lakehead 59

Tonight the Mustangs took on Lakehead University and in a close game rarely had the lead. Fortunately with under a minute left Lakehead recieved an offensive foul and sent Wedemire to the line to take the win 60-59! Andy Wedemire led the team with 21 points which made his careeer 1000 points.

"It was our best defensive effort of the year. I am proud of the way our guys really stepped it up in the 2nd half and gutted out a win tonight" Coach Brad Campbell

Thursday, February 18, 2010

Mustangs Clinch 4th - with Waterloo loss Wednesday Night

With a Waterloo loss to McMaster 69-54 last night, the Mustangs have Clinched 4th place in the OUA West and will host a playoff game Wed. Feb. 24th. The Mustangs will host the winner of this Saturday's OUA West game between Laurier and Waterloo.

Wednesday, February 17, 2010

Fourth place in sight for Mustangs hoops squad


By Lindsay English- Mustangs Ahtletics


Pic - David Harder


LONDON, Ont. - As the men’s basketball team prepares for their next two road games in Thunder Bay, Ont., Feb.19 and 20 at 8 p.m, they will also be thinking ahead to their playoff run as they close off the regular season this weekend. As it sits right now, Western is currently fourth in the OUA West division while Waterloo is close on their heels in fifth. Western needs to win one of two at Lakehead to clinch fourth and the right to host an OUA West quarter-final game on Feb. 24 at Alumni Hall.If Western loses both games this weekend and Waterloo wins both their games against McMaster on Feb. 17 and Laurier on Feb. 20, Waterloo would host Western in an OUA West quarter-final game on Feb. 24If Western loses both of their games against Lakehead, and Waterloo loses one or two of their games, Western would still clinch the fourth place position and gain home court advantage.Andrew Wedemire (Sarnia, Ont.) will be looking to achieve career point number 1,000 in his Western Mustangs basketball career this weekend in Thunder Bay. In Feb. 13’s game against Waterloo he fell just short of the 1,000 mark finishing with 14 points in the game putting his total at 997 overall career points.


Wedemire's Scoring Career

2006-07 269

2007-08 121

2008-09 224

2009-10 383

TOTAL 997

Sunday, February 14, 2010

Men suffer loss to Waterloo, Wedemire still looking for point 1,000


Andy Watson - Mustangs Athletics

WATERLOO, Ont. - With a 82-64 loss to Waterloo on Feb 13, the Western men's basketball team remains in fourth place in the OUA West Division.

Andrew Wedemire (Sarnia, Ont.) continues his race to his 1,000 point milestone for his Mustangs career. He currently has reached 997 points, netting 14 points for the Mustangs. He will likely achieve his 1,000 points in the back-to-back road games in Thunder Bay, Ont., next weekend as Western closes out the regular season against Lakehead.

Ryan Barbeau (Belleville, Ont.) and Garrett Olexiuk (Burlington, Ont.) combined for 29 points in the Waterloo loss.

With two games remaining in the regular season, the Mustangs currently hold fourth in the West which would give them home court advantage in the first round of playoffs.

The Warriors sit below the Mustangs in the standings with nine points and now prepare for the first-place Thunderwolves. The games are scheduled for 8 p.m. on Feb 19. and 20.

Saturday, February 13, 2010

Andy Wedemire closing in on 1,000-point career milestone

Story by Andy Watson - Mustangs Athletics


LONDON, Ont. - Western Mustangs fourth-year forward Andy Wedemire is just 17 points shy of 1,000 points and could reach the milestone on Feb. 13 when the Western Mustangs visit the Waterloo Warriors at 2 p.m.Wedemire (Sarnia, Ont.) is having a career-best season with 369 points thus far. His previous best season was his rookie campaign in 2006-07, when he had 269 points for the Mustangs.

Wedemire's Scoring Career

2006-07 269

2007-08 121

2008-09 224

2009-10 369

TOTAL 983

Catch the Mustangs vs.Waterloo live on Web cast Sat. 2pm

Watch the Mustangs as they travel to take on Waterloo at 2pm live on webcast.

click here for link.

Friday, February 12, 2010

Thursday, February 11, 2010

Mustangs vs. McMaster Re-cap


By Andy Watson- Mustangs Athletics


Picture- David Harder


LONDON, Ont. - David Harder (Copenhagen, Denmark) scored a career-high 22 points, adding 11 rebounds as the Western Mustangs improved to 11-8 in the OUA West with a 92-86 win over McMaster at Alumni Hall on Feb. 10.McMaster, which lost star forward and former Mustang Keenan Jeppesen (Stoney Creek, Ont.) just under four minutes into the contest, had a great performance from Cam Michaud (Grimsby, Ont.) who led the Marauders with a game-high 27 points along with eight boards.Andy Wedemire (Sarnia, Ont.) added a team-high 25 points for Western along with seven rebounds and two steals, while Garrett Olexiuk (Burlington, Ont.) fought through foul trouble to finish with 12 points and seven boards.With the loss, nationally No. 10 ranked McMaster falls to 12-7.About three and a half minutes into the game, Jeppesen was injured. After Wedemire fell backwards taking a charge, he unintentionally made contact with Jeppesen's inside right knee. Jeppesen stumbled backward and in trying to put weight on his right side, he immediately slid to the hardwood. He was treated and made a brief return to the game late in the first quarter, but immediately subbed back off after struggling in one up-and-down on the floor. He sat on the bench in the second quarter and returned to the bench after the half with the knee heavily bandaged, and by the fourth had a huge ice pack on it. Western led throughout most of the contest, building a lead by as much as 11 points in the third quarter and 14 points in the fourth quarter.McMaster pulled close twice late in the game including a five-point deficit with just under 1:30 remaining.But Western's output at the charity stripe - 37/45 - and ability to put McMaster in consistent foul trouble each quarter proved to be too much for the depleted Marauders roster to handle.Marauders head coach Joe Raso was assessed a technical foul in the game, often protesting calls in what was a physical affair.Two McMaster freshmen players - Jordan Tew (Dundas, Ont.) and Victor Raso (Hamilton, Ont.) - fouled out. Jermaine De Costa (Ancaster, Ont.) played a terrific game, taking Mustangs star guard Ryan Barbeau (Belleville, Ont.) out of the game and hiolding him to just five points, six assists and two steals.Western travels to play at Waterloo on Feb. 13 at 2 p.m. and closes out the regular season with games at Lakehead in Thunder Bay, Ont., on Feb. 19 and 20 at 8 p.m.

Wednesday, February 10, 2010

Western 92, McMaster 86

Tonight the Mustangs came out with a victory over nationally ranked #10 McMaster with a score of 92-86. Mustang Andy Wedemire led the team with 25 pts followed by a monster game from David Harder with 22 pts, 11 rbs. This was an important win for the Western Mustangs in standings.

Up Next:
Feb 13- Western vs. Waterloo 2pm

Catch the Mustangs live tonight on CHRW Radio Western


Listen to the Mustangs as they take on McMaster live at 8pm on CHRW FM 94.9.

Mustangs vs. McMaster Pre-View


Andy Watson - Mustangs Athletics

LONDON, Ont. - A familiar face will return to Western in a place where he helped the Mustangs create fond memories, and another trip to CIS nationals, just a year ago.

Keenan Jeppesen (Stoney Creek, Ont.) is averaging 20 points and nine rebounds per game for the McMaster Marauders, currently in third place in the OUA West at 12-6.


Campbell said the key to victory will partly in containing the senior forward.

He also said, "the ability to rebound defensively" and "take better care of the ball and maximize our offensive possessions" will be factors in the outcome.

The Mustangs need to ensure they stick to their gameplan, with McMaster's offence capable of putting up big points. Western experienced this in Hamilton, Ont., in January with a 93-64 loss to the Marauders.
It's an important game for both teams in the standings. With only road games ahead in the schedule for Western, including a double-header in Thunder Bay against nationally ranked Lakehead to close out the season, winning the final game at home is of great importance.

Only the top four teams in the OUA West will get the chance to host a home playoff game when the post-season begins Feb. 24 with divisional quarter-finals.

The third-place team will host the sixth-place team, and the fourth-place team will host fifth-place team team in the divisional quarter-finals. Winners of those two games will travel to play the first and second-place teams in the divisional semifinals on Feb. 27.

The Mustangs, currently in fourth place with a 10-8 record, can finish no worse than seventh. One more win will guarantee Western a playoff spot as, if they finished the season tied with Laurier, Western holds the tiebreaker in head-to-head competition.

If Western wins out, they would move to 14-8 and could reach first place.

Western will honour its lone senior on the Mustangs men's basketball team tonight, as Jason Milliquet (Sarnia, Ont.) suits up for his final regular season home game.


Milliquet has proven to be one of the most feared three-point shooters in the country.

A fifth-year senior, Milliquet has provided leadership and steady guard play throughout his Western career. A captain of this year's Mustangs squad, he is most known for his play during the Mustangs' playoff run in 2007-08, when in three games he went 14/21 from three-point range to lift Western to an OUA West title win and the process a spot in the CIS Final 8 national tournament.

Playing in two national tournaments in the past two seasons, he is fourth on the team in points per game this season. Tonight, he will be joined on court by his father D.J. and mother Diane from Sarnia, On

Monday, February 8, 2010

Article from the London Free Press

Article from Morris Dalla Costa of the London Free Press on Saturday's win vs. Guelph

Sunday, February 7, 2010

Mustangs vs. Guelph Replay Sunday at 8pm on Rogers


Check out the replay of Saturday's Mustangs vs. Guelph game tonight at 8pm on Rogers Channel 13 in London.

Wedemire, Barbeau power Mustangs comeback win


Game Report from Andrew Simpson -Mustangs Athletics

Click Here

LONDON, Ont. – The Mustangs men basketball team used a strong second half to beat the Guelph Gryphons 84-80 Saturday afternoon at Alumni Hall. A large boisterous crowd was on hand for the Jam the Gym promotion and they left happy and entertained as Western came from 16 points down in the second half to win.

Leading the Mustangs charge was Andrew Wedemire (Sarnia, Ont.) with 19 points and 13 rebounds, getting 10 of those rebounds in the second half. Ryan Barbeau(Belleville, Ont.) was the playmaker as he used a great second half to finish with 17 points and 13 assists. All five of Western’s starters finished with double figures in points, with Jason Milliquet (Sarnia, Ont.) netting 13 points, Garrett Olexiuk(Burlington, Ont.) getting 12 and Brett Lawrence (Welland, Ont.) finishing with 11.

The Mustangs are now 10-8 on the year and are in fourth place in the OUA West standings. With the loss the Guelph Gryphons fall to 5-13 on the year.

Coach Brad Campbell was pleased with the defensive effort and their overall play in the second half.

“We had a lack of focus defensively in the first half and in the second half we showed what we are capable of,” Coach Campbell said, “Wedemire and Barbeau really stepped up in the fourth quarter when we needed them to.”

Campbell also added that the focus this week in practice would be to “get better defensively so that we can take away what the other team is trying to do on offense.”

Each team came out of the gates slowly as the larger than usual crowd accompanied with noisemakers, created a great atmosphere for basketball. The Gryphons were playing tight on defence and forcing Western into taking tough shots. Guelph held a slim three point advantage at the end of the frame 14-11.

The Gryphon lead was extended in the second quarter behind the incredibly hot shooting hand of Jay Mott. During a stretch in the second quarter he had 14 points in a row, including 4 triples. He finished with 33 points on the day and shot 7 of 10 from three point range. The Mustangs stayed within reach though with Milliquet answering back with two threes of his own. Poor shooting at the foul line from the Mustangs hurt their offensive game and at half time the Gryphons were up 43-31.

The Mustangs tightened up their play in the third quarter and began their comeback from a deficit as large as 16 points at one time. They were getting to the foul line and were playing very well defensive. By the end of the quarter the Gryphons lead had been cut down to 63-56.

The fourth quarter started out with a 7-0 run by the Mustangs to tie the game at 63 apiece. The crowd rallied behind their team and, with Wedemire dominating the defensive boards, Western pushed the lead to 11 with 1:41 remaining. Guelph refused to rollover though and battled back, fouling to send Western to the foul line and then cutting into the lead on their offensive end. The Mustangs proved to be gelling at the right time however, and held on to win 84-80.

Next up for the Mustangs are the McMaster Marauders on Wed. Feb. 10 at 8 p.m. This will the final home game of the regular season for Western so come out and support them on the road to the playoffs. Students receive free admission with their Student ID cards.


Saturday, February 6, 2010

Western 84, Guelph 80

The Mustangs defeated Guelph 84-80 in a close game tonight. "After an awful first half we settled down and found our confidence. Andy and Ryan were spectacular in the fourth quarter. " Coach Brad Campbell. Andy Wedemire led the team with 19 points, 13 rebounds along with Ryan Barbeau who scored 17 points and 13 assists.

Thursday, February 4, 2010

Backcourt Club Announces 2010 Hall of Honour Inductees


Picture- Jim Grozelle

By Andy Watson - Mustangs Athletics


LONDON, Ont. - The Western Mustangs men's basketball program is proud to announce its 2010 Hall of Honour inductees.

Five Olympians and two All-Canadians will join the men's basketball hall of fame, with the official induction will take place at the Mustangs Backcourt Club Awards Dinner on April 10 at the Greek Canadian Club in London, Ont.

"These seven former Mustangs players have made a major impact on Western basketball," said Mustangs men’s basketball head coach Bradley Campbell. "We are very pleased we can recognize their contribution with their entry into this year's Mustangs Backckourt Club Hall of Honour induction class."

For more information, contact men's basketball head coach Brad Campbell atbcampbe5@uwo.ca or by phone at 519 850-2416.

Here are the seven inductees, all in the players category:
Jim Grozelle
· 2-time All-Canadian ‘02 &‘03
· 4-time OUA West All-Star
· OUA West Rookie of the Year ‘99
· 3-time OUA Champion
· 4-time at CIS Nationals
· Ken Shields TSN Award Winner
· Team MVP and Purple Heart Award winner
· UWO Athlete of the Year ‘03
· Scored 50 pts in game vs. Waterloo
Marnix Heersink
· All-Canadian ‘72
· 2-time OUA West All-Star
· 3-time Team MVP
· E.C. Label Trophy (OUA Playoff MVP) ‘68
· OUA Champion ‘68
Coulter Osbourne
· OUA All-Star
· 3-time OUA Champion
· Western Athlete of the Year
· Member of 1956 Olympic Team
Barry Howson
· 2-time OUA All-Star
· Member of the 1964 Canadian Olympic Team
· Player 67 Pan Games
· Player 71 World Championships
· 3-time OUA Champion
· Member of Canadian Basketball Hall of Fame
Barry Ager
· OUA All-Star
· 2-time OUA Champion
· Member of 1960 Canadian Olympic team
Ray Monnot
· 2-time OUA All-Star
· 1956 OUA Scoring Leader
· 2-time OUA Champion
· UWO Athlete of the Year ‘56
· Member of 1960 Canadian Olympic Team
Don McCrae
· OUA All-Star
· OUA Champion
· Member of 1952 Canadian Olympic Team
· Player 59 Pan Am Games
· Member of Canadian Basketball Hall of Fame

Wednesday, February 3, 2010

Western 72, Brock 82

The Mustangs struggled tonight vs. Brock with a final score of 72-82. A good first quarter was not enough for an overall win tonight. "We did not play well. We turned the ball over too many times and did not make good decisions at the offensive end. Our focus was not were it should have been. " Coach Brad Campbell.

Game at a Glance:
Andy Wedemire 23 pts, 14 rbs
Garrett Olexiuk 11 pts
Ryan Barbeau 10 pts

Up Next:
Western vs. Guelph Feb. 6, 3pm

Ryan Barbeau Selected Western Male Athlete of the Week


From Mustangs Website Click Here


Ryan Barbeau, Men's Basketball (Third Year, King's College, Belleville, Ont.)
Point guard Ryan Barbeau was a major force in the Western Mustangs two wins in men's basketball action on Jan. 27 over Waterloo and Jan. 30 over Wilfrid Laurier. In the two games..., with a strong defensive performance drawing the top players from opposing teams, Barbeau was the offensive sparkplug, finishing with a combined 37 points, six steals, eight assists and nine rebounds on the week. In the Jan. 27 win over Waterloo, Barbeau had a game-high 22 points including six steals and five assists. One of his plays ended a Waterloo run, stealing the ball off a Waterloo player at the top of the key and going end-to-end to finish the play with a momentum-changing layup. Later in the game, the junior point guard performed a Steve-Nash-like behind the back dribble, finishing with a lay-up and drawing contact to add another point at the free-throw line. Against Wilfrid Laurier, Barbeau finished with 15 points, six rebounds and all of his team's three assists in an eight-point win over the Golden Hawks.

Tuesday, February 2, 2010

Pre-View of Mustangs vs. Brock Wednesday Feb.3


Story by Lindsay English


Picture - Marcus Barnett

LONDON Ont. - The Western men's basketball team will tip-off against the sixth place Brock Badgers on Feb.3 at Bob Davis Gymnasium in St. Catherines. The last meeting between the two teams was on Jan.16 where Brock defeated the Mustangs by a score of 80-85. As the men enter the last six games of the regular season, Western currently sits fourth in the OUA West division two points behind McMaster. To breakdown the playoff picture, if playoffs were to start today, Western would hold home court advantage for being fourth in the division (third and fourth place receive home court advantage.) If they were to move into first or second, they would receive a buy in the first round of playoff games.

After coming off back-to-back wins on Jan 27. against Waterloo and Jan 30. against Wilfred Laurier, the Mustangs will face Brock who also are coming off a one point win over Guelph this past Saturday and will no doubt be looking for another win over the Mustangs.

The play of Ryan Barbeau( Belleville, Ont.) and Andrew Wedemire( Sarnia, Ont.) has been strong as of late both leading the team to a win over Laurier on Jan 30. 78-70. Wedemire netted 24 points for the Mustangs while Barbeau and Garrett Olexiuk(Burlington, Ont.) both contributed 15 points each. Wedemire leads his team in points with 302, and sits in sixth place in the OUA standings.

The Mustangs will return home to face Guelph on Feb. 6 at Alumni Hall at 3 p.m. Tickets can be purchased at the door or at www.westernmustangs.ca . Students can get in free with their student ID.

Monday, February 1, 2010

London Free Press Article on the Mustangs Win at Laurier

Foul-troubled Wedemire saves game

UNIVERSITY BASKETBALL: And women's team holds off late-charging Laurier



WATERLOO -- There's one big edge to being pinned to the bench with four fouls early in the second half.

"Fresh legs," Western men's basketball forward Andy Wedemire said with a wry smile.

So with the game on the line and no room for another infraction, the spry fourth-year Mustangs scored nine of his game-high 24 points in a 78-70 victory over the Laurier Golden Hawks before 400 Saturday at the Laurier Athletic Complex.

Up two in crunch time, Wedemire made a strong move to the hole, scored and drew the extra free throw that, ironically, fouled out hot-shooting Golden Hawk veteran Matt Buckley.

"You can't change anything (with four fouls)," the 6-foot-6 Sarnia native said. "You just keep playing hard even if you don't think the calls are going your way."

Wedemire buried five straight free throws when the heat was on.

Garrett Olexiuk, a lone wolf down low while Wedemire sat, was happy for the help when he checked back in.

"That was big Andy not fouling out," the 6-foot-7 forward said. "When he's not in there, they pay more attention to me."

The Mustangs are 9-7 and the Hawks 7-9. Western gave itself some breathing room in the playoff hunt.

"We feel like we have something to prove," Wedemire said. "The way we lost (on a buzzer beater by Carleton in the national semifinal last year), we had to relive watching that play every day on TV."

That wasn't fun. Neither was a 93-64 loss to McMaster last week, especially after old mate Keenan Jeppesen torched the Stangs for 22 points and 11 boards.

"I wasn't able to play in that one, but they have to come back to our place (Feb. 10) and we're kind of licking our lips for another shot at them," Burlington native Olexiuk said. "Our goal is to get back to nationals again. There's no pressure on us -- no one expected anything from us this year."

There's no pining over the Jeppesen loss.

"There isn't any hard feelings because we all knew Keenan had to do what was best for his career . . . ," Olexiuk said.

"I didn't get to play at Mac in front of my family and friends, but who knows? Maybe we'll run into them in the playoffs."

Mustangs Win on the Road - Article from Laurier Game



By Daisy Sun - Mustangs Athleteics

Picture - Ryan Barbeau


Click Here

LONDON, Ont. – The Western Mustangs men’s basketball team settled their second match against Laurier with a 78-70 victory on Jan. 30 at the WLU Athletic Complex.

With the added pressure of a road game and an attendance of over 300 spectators, the Mustangs surprisingly overcame these sidetracks, defeating the Laurier Golden Hawks with an eight-point lead.

Andrew Wedemire (Sarnia, Ont.) proved to be an asset by outscoring every other individual during the game, securing 24 points for the Mustangs. Ryan Barbeau (Belleville, Ont.) and Garrett Olexiuk (Burlington, Ont.) both netted 15 points each, while Jason Milliquet (Sarnia, Ont.), who played for a total of 36 minutes, finished with 11 points.

Despite the victory, the game was a close call. The Mustangs started with a four-point lead by the end of the first quarter, but lost their second and third quarters to the Golden Hawks, leaving the Mustangs at a two-point lead.

Similar to a teeter totter, the Mustangs seem to bounce back and forth from losses and wins. The Mustangs may win some, but their game play has continually been inconsistent.
While the team has gradually improved throughout the season, placing them at fourth (9-7) within the western division, they must face the Brock Badgers in their next match. The Mustangs will be playing against Brock for the second time within this season. Their previous game against Brock was close, but ended with a loss at 80-85. The Mustangs had reigned control up until the end of the second quarter. But could not hold up their defence in the fourth quarter.

With the next match coming up on Feb. 3 at 8 P.M., the Mustangs must re-strategize their approach. Unfortunately, the next match will also be another road game, but with the proof from this game, anything could happen.