It may have been the drop in temperatures outside because the McMaster women's basketball team was ice-cold shooting the ball in a 75-60 loss to the Lakehead Thunderwolves Friday night in the Burridge Gym.

It may also have been too much Jylisa Williams, as the Lakehead guard put on a dominating performance to lead her team to an important road win.  The Georgia native finished with 35 points and 19 rebounds and never let McMaster make a sustained run.

McMaster led 22-18 after the opening quarter, behind guard Danielle Boiago, who made a buzzer-beater from just over halfcourt to give momentum to the Maroon.  But the second quarter saw Lakehead start to assume control, and with Boiago the only Marauder showing any offensive spark, the Thunderwolves took a 42-38 lead into the intermission.

The third quarter was even worse for McMaster as the Lakehead lead grew to 64-47 after 30 minutes.  McMaster seemed rattled by Lakehead's full-court pressure and committed several turnovers, while continuing to struggle from the floor. 

The Marauders could only close to within 12 in the fourth quarter, as Williams always seemed to have a big play to keep McMaster at bay.   The win keeps Lakehead undefeated in the OUA Central, while McMaster falls to 2-1.

Along with Williams, the Thunderwolves got a solid 18 point game from their other U.S. import, Essa Jacobsen.  Boiago was outstanding for the Marauders, finishing with 28. Rachael Holmes chipped in 11, but 9 of those came in the first quarter.

Lakehead dominated the battle of the boards and out-rebounded McMaster 44-27.   Lakehead shot a whopping 29 free throws compared to only nine for the Marauders, which was a definite factor in the result.

McMaster will look to gain the series split when the two teams play again on Saturday at 6 p.m.