The McMaster men's basketball team flexed its offensive muscle and got a career game from forward Connor Gilmore to defeat Laurier 105-81 Saturday afternoon in Waterloo.
Gilmore set a new career high with 32 points and came up just one short of tying the team record for made three-point shots by going 8 of 10 from beyond the arc.
The Marauders opened the game looking sharp on the offensive end and grabbed the early lead, but midway through the first quarter, Laurier took advantage of some turnovers and converted them into a 17-15 lead. From there McMaster finished the period on an 11-2 run to lead 26-19 after 10 minutes.
The momentum stayed with Mac to start the second quarter and a 16-2 run put the Marauder lead at 42-21, causing Laurier to call timeout to stop the barrage. By halftime the lead was still at 21 points with McMaster in front 54-33.
Laurier came out in the third quarter looking to trim the deficit and the Marauders took their collective foot off the pedal by putting the Hawks in the bonus very early and playing some soft defense. Laurier won the quarter and closed within 80-64 heading to the final stanza.
But any hope of a comeback by the home side was squashed as McMaster started the fourth quarter on a 14-1 run to build the lead up to 29. The biggest Marauder lead was 30 points at 97-67 before both teams cleared their benches to play out the contest, and McMaster closing out the comfortable victory.
Gilmore was sensational from the opening tip, making 11 of 14 field goal attempts overall in setting his career scoring high, and grabbing nine rebounds. Other Marauders highlights were double-double games from Troy Joseph (17 & 10) and Aaron Redpath (13 & 11), while Leon Alexander scored 16 and Rohan Boney added 12 to break double digits. Top shooter for Laurier was Matt Chesson with 22.
McMaster crushed Laurier on the boards, grabbing 62 caroms to only 37 for the Hawks.
The win moves McMaster to 7 and 2 in the OUA Central division, still one game behind the Brock Badgers in the standings.
A huge contest now looms as McMaster faces its arch-rival, the Windsor Lancers, on Wednesday, January 20 at 8-pm in the Burridge Gym.
