Lancers 77 Mustangs 72

Barbeau going strong to the basket in last night's action

Report by Andrew Simpson - Mustangs Athletics

WINDSOR, Ont. - The Western Mustangs men's basketball team battled with the first place Windsor Lancers on Wednesday night coming up just short losing 77-72 in Windsor.

Ryan Barbeau led the short-handed Mustangs with 23 points, adding nine rebounds and two steals. Andy Wedemire had 17 points and five rebounds.

With the loss the Mustangs fall to 6-7 on the season, while the Lancers improve to 11-2

The Mustangs started out quickly forcing the tempo on the Lancers and leading 21-13 after the first quarter. Windsor stepped up the defensive pressure holding the Mustangs to just 10 second quarter points and the Mustangs advantage was only 31-30 at the half.

Each team battled throughout the third quarter with the Lancers holding a slim four point lead after three quarters at 55-51. With each team trading baskets in the fourth quarter the Lancers could not pull away until the final minute, making it a two possession game as foul shots made it a 77-72 final.

The Mustangs will be back in action on the road against Laurier on Saturday afternoon at 3 p.m. They will complete their home and away as they face Laurier on Wed. Jan. 26 at Alumni Hall at 8 p.m.

Game Day: @ Windsor 8pm

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Pic from Saturday: Garrett Olexiuk vs Guelph

Garrett Olexiuk defends inside 

Barbeau, Henderson key fourth quarter run to win 83-71 at Guelph

Report by Andrew Simpson- Mustangs Athletics

GUELPH, Ont. - An offensive explosion in the fourth quarter blew open a close game as the Western Mustangs beat the Guelph Gryphons 83-71 on Saturday afternoon.

Ryan Barbeau led the Mustangs attack with 24 points, four assists and three rebounds. Quinn Henderson had 16 points with four rebounds, and three steals. 

With the win the Mustangs snap their three game losing streak and get back to .500 at 6-6 on the year.

Western and Guelph were tied after the first quarter at 18 points apiece and again at half at 37-37. 

The Gryphons held a slim one point lead after three quarters at 54-53. The Mustangs outscored Guelph 30-17 in the final frame to win 83-71.

Western will head to Windsor to play the first place Lancers on Wed. Jan. 19 at 8 p.m.

Mustangs fall on the road to Badgers 91-72

Report by Andrew Simpson - Mustangs Athletics

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ST. CATHARINES, Ont. - The Western Mustangs could not overcome a strong second half from the Brock Badgers to fall 91-72 on Wednesday, Jan. 12.

First year Peter Scholtes had a strong game in the losing effort, scoring 18 points on 7/12 shooting, including 3-of-4 from three point range. Forward Andy Wedemire had 17 points and seven rebounds.

The Mustangs fall to 5-6 on the season with the loss.

Western was down 19-17 after the first quarter and faced a 36-28 deficit at half. Brock pulled away in the second half to be up 13 points after the third quarter 59-46. The Mustangs were outscored 32-26 in the fourth quarter to make it a 91-72 final.

The Mustangs will regroup as they head on the road again on Saturday, Jan. 12 to face the Guelph Gryphons at 3 p.m.

Mustangs ready to rebound against Brock

By Andrew Simpson - Mustangs Athletics

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LONDON, Ont. - The Western Mustangs men's basketball team did not get off to the start in 2011 that they wanted, dropping home games to Windsor and McMaster. Sitting at 5-5 with three other teams all tied for fourth in the OUA West, the Mustangs will look to get back on track as they head to Brock on Wed. Jan. 12. 

The Badgers also dropped the first two games of 2011 losing to Waterloo and Windsor on the road. They have been led this season by senior guard Andrew Kraus, who is averaging 16.4 points, five rebounds and 2.5 assists per game.

The Mustangs will counter with guard Ryan Barbeau, averaging 16.5 points per game and five assists and three rebounds. Barbeau went off for 22 points in the loss to McMaster, going a perfect 11-for-11 from the free throw line. His 92% shooting from the charity strike this season is tied for tops in the OUA.

Brock and Western will tip off at 8 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 12 in St. Catharines, Ont.

Barbeau's perfection not enough as McMaster defeats Western 95-80

Ryan Barbeau

Report by Adele Gatto Mustangs Athletics

LONDON, Ont. – Despite Ryan Barbeau’s (Belleville, Ont.) perfection at the free-throw line, the McMaster Marauders defeated the Western Mustangs 95-80 at Alumni Hall on Jan.8. 

Within the first quarter, McMaster’s defensive efforts, led by Scott Brittain, forced five Mustang turnovers in the quarter, allowing the Marauders to take an initial 19-12 lead. Barbeau andAdam Jespersen (London, Ont.), were both top scores in the first quarter.

Despite ten Mustang turnovers at half, Western tightened the score to 42-38, as Barbeau led the Mustangs offensively with 13 points, shooting 100 percent from the free-throw line. The Mustangs outscored the Mauraders 26-23, in the second quarter, but still trailed 42-38 at half. 

Western once again outscored McMaster in the third quarter 26-21, due in part by Barbeau continued excellence from the foul-line. Western ended the third quarter, ahead 64-63, where McMaster had a total of 26 fouls against and Western with 16.

Foul trouble continued for McMaster as Cam Michaud, fouled out of the game halfway through the last quarter. Despite the ongoing free-throw success from both Andrew Wedemire (Sarnia, Ont.) and Barbeau, a series of three pointers from the Marauders helped McMaster retake the lead in the fourth. 

Late in the fourth, Mustang Quinn Henderson (Dundas, Ont.) received a technical foul for contact after the whistle, furthering the offensive scoring opportunities for the Marauders. 

McMaster continued to extend the lead throughout the final quarter, sinking 32 baskets, ending the game with a 95-80 victory over Western. 

“Defensively, we lost focus. We didn’t control the paint,” said Barbeau, who finished the game 100 percent from the foul-line. “I know we can win. We are a talented team, we just need a solid game to get us going.”

The Mustangs will look to bounce-back from the loss and defeat the Brock Badgers, in their next game on Jan. 12 at 8 p.m. at Brock University.