McMaster University Marauders Challenge Thunderwolves
THUNDER BAY – Sports – Both of the Lakehead University Thunderwolf basketball squads face their toughest opposition remaining in the OUA West schedule this weekend, with the McMaster Marauders entering the Thunderdome for a pair of double headers. Game times are 6:00pm (women) and 8:00pm (men), Friday and Saturday.
Women (8-8)The Marauders (10-6) sit in fourth place in the OUA West, ahead of Lakehead by 2 wins. With every game taking on more importance towards playoff seeding, the T-Wolves are looking for another solid outing in the Thunderdome, where they are 3-1 in 2014. McMaster is 2-2 on the road in 2014.
McMaster’s leading scorer is All-Star post Hailey Milligan, who has put up 19.7 points and 10.9 rebounds per game this season. She will be met by the hard-nosed defenders Essa Jacobsen and Jessica deHaan in the paint, where the T-Wolf posts have out-rebounded their opposition handily thus far in the regular season.
Coach Jon Kreiner, says “In my mind McMaster will be the toughest opponent we’ve seen in 2014. They have the best post in the CIS and they have a very deep line up of guards that are athletic and can score. The game plan won’t be easy and we certainly will have our work cut out for us but we are ready for the challenge.”
Men (6-10)
The OUA West division-leading Marauders (13-3) enter the Thunderdome with lots to prove. They were eliminated from the playoffs last February (81-76) by the senior-laden Thunderwolves of 2012-13, and now have a chance to redeem themselves against Lakehead’s new crew of freshmen and remaining veterans.
Taylor Black presents one of the tougher defensive checks in the OUA, the 6’7″ forward leading the Marauders with 14.9 points and 6.9 rebounds per game and a good touch around the basket and from distance. That being said McMaster has several players capable of scoring, with 5 other players averaging close to 10 points per game.
Coach Matt Erdman states, “This weekend is going to be a very tough test for our guys. Mac has a talented, deep, veteran group with a lot of different pieces. Our focus is on what we do, sticking to the game plan and bringing the right attitude and effort for 40 minutes.”
Game Schedule vs McMaster
Fri, Jan 31
6:00pm – Women
8:00pm – Men
Sat, Feb 1
6:00pm – Women
8:00pm – Men
Game Coverage:
Visiting McMaster Audio broadcast, via CFMU
