The Mustangs pulled away midway through the fourth quarter, using an 8-0 run highlighted by a three from the left baseline by 6'2" Marcus Barnett and sustained the lead with some tight "d" and poor Guelph offensive decisions leading to a series of turnovers. With Guelph clinging to a 61-60 lead and about 5 minutes remaining, 6'6" Garrett Olexiuk gave Western the lead for good with a nice take from the elbow and then Barnett got free to knock down his big shot. Later, Olexiuk scored on a tough take inside and Western led by 7. The Gryphs had one run left as 6'2" Dan McCarthy scored on a tough, driving lay-up for his 29th point (25 in the first 3 quarters) and later Drew Morris knocked down a three to get it to 5 but then 6'0" Ryan Barbeau took over with a couple of strong takes to the rim and Western's "d" stifled Guelph down the stretch.
Until the final stretch, the game was sluggish with several turnovers as the Gryphs scrapped their way into the game with some very good interior defense that made life difficult inside for 6'6" Andrew Wedemire. Gryphs defended with purpose, doubling down on post catches and rotating out of the doubles with urgency and energy. McCarthy's great offensive display kept Guelph in the game for much of the first 3 quarters until the Mustangs stepped up their "d" late. Another valiant effort by an undermanned Guelph group which continues to play without 6'4" Jonathan Moscatelli (wrist).
McCarthy led all scorers with 29 but had little help as 5'11" Mike Petrella was the only other Gryph in doubles with 11. Barbeau finished strong with 22 points while 6'4" freshman Quinn Henderson had 15 points, all in the first three quarters while Olexiuk had 15 including several big buckets in the game-deciding stretch.
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