Mustangs lose 85-75 in a tight game against Lakehead Thunderwolves

Nathan DiLoreto drives to the basket last night

Report- Adele Gato

LONDON, Ont. - In a back-and-forth offensive and defensive game, the Western Mustangs lost 85-75 to the Lakehead Thunderwolves on Feb.18 at Alumni Hall. 

Brett Lawrence opened up Mustang scoring just over two minutes into the game. Soon after Ryab Barbeau’s defensive pressure forced a Lakehead turnover that he turned into a scoring opportunity. Andrew Wedemire and Nathan DiLoreto led Western’s scoring with six points each, including DiLoreto’s three-pointer.  

For the majority of the first quarter, the Thunderwolves led, as top scorers Yoosrie Salhia and Ben Johnson each had four points. Late in the quarter, Peter Scholtes drained a three giving the Mustangs their first lead of the game. DiLoreto helped extend the Mustangs lead, netting a lay-up amidst the foul, and then capitalizing on foul shot. At the end of the first Western led 22-14. 

Marcus Barnett exploded offensively, in the second quarter, with ten points as he went two-for-two at the three-point line and four-for-four inside the key. Lakehead’s Greg Carter reclaimed the Thunderwolves lead after his foul line success late in the quarter, bringing the score to 35-36. Carter then extending the Lakehead lead with a well-executed jumper. Moments later, Barnett’s long three, assisted by Dillion Hamilton, tied the game again. Barnett’s turned his strong offensive rebound into a scoring opportunity, allowing the Mustangs to reclaim the lead. Western held onto the lead, 42-38, at half. 

The third half saw the Mustangs put offensive and defensive pressure on the Thunderwolves in an attempt to maintain their lead. Lawrence led the offensive pressure with six points, whileQuinn Henderson and Scholtes each contributed five. Despite Western’s 17 third quarter points, Lakehead outscored them with 24 points, taking the lead as a result of Russel Venzal’s six points. Heading into the last quarter the Thunderwolves had a tight 62-59 lead. 

The fourth quarter was a back and forth effort as the Mustangs attempted to regain the lead. Turnovers on Western gave Lakehead scoring opportunities. Henderson drained his second three of the game, closing in on the Thunderwolves 75-71 lead. Scholtes’ six fourth quarter points, 18 in total, was not enough as Lakehead defeated Western in the last minutes of the quarter, 85-75. 

The Mustangs will have a chance to avenge their loss on Feb.19 at 8p.m. at Alumni Hall, as they rematch against the Thunderwolves in their last regular season game.