Lady Wolves blasted by Mustangs

The Lakehead Thunderwolves women’s basketball team’s quest to secure first round home court advantage in the OUA West playoffs got a bit more complicated Friday night as LU lost 67-51 to the Western Mustangs at the C. J. Sanders Fieldhouse.

With the loss, the ‘Wolves (12-9) are now deadlocked with the Brock Badgers at fourth place in their division. Lakehead will now need a Saturday night win or a Brock loss to assure their first home playoff game since 1998-99.

The ‘Stangs were powered by a double-double effort from Katelyn Leddy who notched 17 points with 10 rebounds. Amanda Andersen led the team with 19 points as the Mustangs shot 36.8% from the field and out-rebounded the hosts 44-36.

After missing one game with a sprained ankle, forward Lindsay Druery returned to score 11 points with 12 rebounds for LU. Sarah Gordon added 10 points while Chelsea Nekuliak had nine points in only 15 minutes of play off the bench.

The Thunderwolves struggled to a 27.9 per cent effort from the field with leading-scorer Tasia McKenna going just 3-16 for nine points and fifth-year senior post Shannon Vellinga going 1-9 for six points.

"Tonight was disappointing,” said Thunderwolves head coach Jon Kreiner. “We lacked the sense of urgency needed to win a key game and I thought we played not to lose. Amanda had a great second half and Leddy was tough throughout. Tomorrow we will have to regroup and find the energy and spark needed to play at a high level.”

The Saturday rematch between the two divisional rivals tips off at 6 p.m. at the Fieldhouse.