Box Score It's for good reason that the McMaster women's basketball team is ranked first in the nation. The Marauders secured another impressive win against the Laurier Golden Hawks Wednesday evening in Hamilton, coming away with the 82-56 victory.
 
The Marauders began the game hot, starting off on a 13-5 run forcing WLU Coach Paul Falco to call an early timeout. Strong defense out of the gate allowed Mac to hold Laurier to just 27% from the field in the first as the Marauders led 20-11.
 
In the second quarter the Marauders kept it rolling, while Laurier was hurt early by an injury to guard Nicole Morrison, which forced her to leave the game. The Golden Hawks couldn't keep up with McMaster as Hilary Hanaka scored 12 points in the first half to help Mac go into the locker room with a 44-32 lead.
 
McMaster started the second half strong with a 14-4 run, extending the Marauders lead to 22.  Danielle Boiago scored 11 in the quarter for Mac giving putting them ahead 70-42 heading into the fourth quarter.
 
The Marauders slowed down a bit in the fourth, being outscored 14-12. However with a 28-point lead already in place going into the quarter, their lead was more than safe.
 
Boiago led the Marauders in scoring dropping 22 points and chipped in 12 rebounds. Hanaka scored 17 of her own and Clare Kenney got hot in the third and finished with 18 in the game. The Marauders came out strong on the boards, outrebounding Laurier 53-27, including 26 offensive rebounds.
 
The top-ranked team in the nation will head to Guelph next to face the Gryphons on Saturday.
 
The game can be streamed online at 6-pm on oua.tv and is on radio at CFMU 93.3FM.
 
By Jonah Tuck