Box Score The McMaster women's basketball team built up a 20-point lead, but had to survive a fourth quarter rally, to defeat Lakehead 75-65  on Saturday night,  sweeping the two-game weekend series.

With Lakehead paying extra attention to Mac's top shooter Danielle Boiago, other Marauders stepped up to start the game with Rachael Holmes, Hilary Hanaka and Linnaea Harper all hitting the scoresheet. By the end of the first quarter, McMaster was in front 26-16. 

The Thunderwolves tried to close the gap in the second stanza, but Hanaka and Erin Burns off the bench, kept the Marauder lead in double digits.   At the intermission the Mac lead stood at 45-33.

Moving to the third quarter, the Marauders continued to get production from multiple sources, including Boiago who was able to get some space to operate.  Still working to trim the lead, Lakehead kept up the pressure but could not gain any ground and McMaster was up 63-50 after 30 minutes.

A quick start to the final quarter saw the Marauder lead get up to 20, but with about five minutes remaining McMaster took its foot off the gas and Lakehead made a final late run to get within six points. Some late free throws provided the final margin as time ran out on the 'Wolves.

Top shooter for McMaster was Clare Kenney, who scored 17, while knocking down 9 of 9 from the free throw line.   Hanaka and Boiago each chipped in 13, with Boiago also grabbing 10 boards for the double-double.  For the second straight night Lakehead was led by August Ricketts, who scored 14 before fouling out.

McMaster will now prepare to face another OUA Central Division rival as the Brock Badgers come to Hamilton on Wednesday , November  16 for a doubleheader with games at 6 and 8 p.m.