Box Score A strong start and a fierce finish was enough for the McMaster men’s team to defeat the visiting Laurier Golden Hawks 93-84 on Saturday afternoon.

The Marauders came out flying against a Laurier team that was missing OUA all-star Max Allin, out of the line-up for personal reasons.  Pushing the tempo right from the tip, McMaster jumped out to a 12-2 lead and ended up finishing the quarter with a 26-10 lead.

Without its leading scorer, Laurier turned to sophomore guard Wil Coulthard for some offense and his hot shooting helped the Hawks cut into the Mac advantage in the second stanza.  At halftime, the Marauder lead had dwindled to 43-40 and Coulthard entered the intermission having scored 25 points.

Laurier carried the momentum in the third quarter and Coulthard continued to pace the attack, drawing fouls and making his free throws.  By the end of the third, Laurier had taken a 78-77 lead, with 10 minutes left to play.

The Marauders opened the fourth like they started the game and scored the first eight points to reclaim the lead.  Big shots from Taylor Black, Nathan McCarthy, and Aaron Redpath put Mac in front and Coulthard finally started to cool off.   The Mac attack continued to push the advantage with contributions coming from Rohan Boney, Scott Laws and Nate Pelech down the stretch.   

Laurier did close within four points late but could never make it a one possession game.  Some late free throws provided the final McMaster margin of victory.

Six Marauders hit for double figures on the score-sheet, paced by Aaron Redpath with 23.  Taylor Black finished with a double-double of 14 points and 14 rebounds and was named the McDonald’s Big Mac of the game.

Laurier got a huge 39 point effort from Coulthard.

The Marauders will next play at Guelph on Wednesday, January 9^th at 8 PM, and the game is available live on McMaster campus radio station CFMU 93.3 FM.