Box Score The McMaster men's basketball team used a big third quarter to blow open a close game and roll to an 81-65 win over the visiting Nipissing Lakers on Friday night.

It was all about the defense for the Marauders over the first-two quarters, as the team struggled mightily to find its collective shooting stroke.   McMaster only made 38% from the floor as a team in the first-half, which included a frigid 1 of 14 from beyond the 3-point line.   Despite the offensive struggles, the men in maroon still won both of the opening quarters by playing some good defense, and carried a 34-26 lead into the intermission.

The third quarter started off much better for Mac, as it scored the first eight points to go up by 16.  Nipissing made a small run of its own to get back to within nine points, but the Marauders started to heat up from long range, and the treys started falling.  Five different players connected from long-range and McMaster won the quarter 31-14 to take 64-40 lead heading to the fourth quarter. 

In the final stanza the lead grew to as much as 30 at 71-41 before McMaster cleared the bench with almost six minutes remaining.  The Lakers won the last quarter against the Mac bench 25-16 but never seriously challenged the big Marauder lead.

Troy Joseph was the top shooter for Mac with 13, and keyed the third quarter burst by scoring 10 in the period.  Aaron Redpath and Leon Alexander each chipped in 12, and David McCulloch hit double figures for the second straight game with 11.  Nipissing got a game-high 22 from Kalil Langston.

The Marauders now prepare to face the Laurentian Voyageurs on Saturday night with an 8-PM start time.  It will be Seniors NIght, as the team honours the senior players on this year's team in a pre-game ceremony.