Balanced offense leads Badgers over Western 82-72

ST. CATHARINES, Ont. - The Brock University men's basketball team (8-9 OUA) defeated the Western Mustangs 82-72 in front of over 700 in attendance Wednesday evening at the Bob Davis Gymnasium.

Midway through the third quarter, with the score tied 48-48, Brock would put together a 9-2 run over the next five minutes leading 57-50 after thirty minutes.

In the fourth quarter, the Badgers would go up by as many as ten points, 67-57, with 5:26 remaining. Over the next four minutes, the Mustangs would go on a 13-7 run cutting the lead to four points, 74-70, capped off by a Ryan Barbeau three-point play with 1:33 left in regulation.

Two possessions later, the Badgers Didi Mukendi (St Catharines, Ont.) would knock down a clutch shot from the corner putting the Badgers up 76-70 with 59 seconds left. In the final 20 seconds, Brock would connect on 5-of-6 from the charity stripe to secure the victory.

Brock had four players in double figures led by freshman Clinton Springer-Williams (London, Ont.) who recorded a game high 21 points, including 14 in the second half. Senior Mike Cruickshank (Toronto, Ont.) added a season high 18 points including a perfect 3-for-3 from beyond the arc. Mukendi added 13 of his 15 points in the final 20 minutes, while recording six assists. Junior Andrew Ferguson (St. Catharines, Ont.) added a spark off the bench finishing with 10 points in 14 minutes.

For the Mustangs, Andrew Wedemire led all scorers with a game high 23 points while pulling down 14 boards for the double-double. 

The Badgers next action is Saturday, February 6th at 3:00 pm when they host the McMaster Marauders at the Bob Davis Gymnasium.