Box Score It was a battle right up to the final minute of the game, as the Marauders defeated the Queen's Gaels 87-75 Saturday night in Hamilton.
 
The first quarter was back and forth with both teams performing well. Connor Gilmore had nine first-quarter points to give McMaster a slim 21-20 lead after 10 minutes.
 
Mac started the second quarter on an 8-2 run giving them an early seven-point lead, but the Gaels were able to respond with a run of their own cutting Mac's lead to just two points. McMaster veteran Rohan Boney went down with an ankle injury with three minutes left in the second quarter and didn't return to the game. His absence left the Marauders short-handed for the rest of the night.
 
However, McMaster managed to finish the quarter strong, holding Queen's to just 11 points, and heading into halftime with a 44-31 advantage.
 
David McCulloch took over the game for Mac in the third quarter getting back-to-back and-1s before driving in and grabbing another basket, giving him eight of his ten third-quarter points. By the end of the quarter, the Marauders had secured a 22-point lead at 70-48.
 
But the Gaels weren't ready to concede defeat in the fourth and started out on a 10-0 run before Mac's first basket by Matt Quiring. The Gaels kept on the pressure, scoring another 12 straight points to cut the McMaster lead to only four with just over three minutes remaining in the game, having outscored McMaster 22-2 to start the final frame.
 
The Marauders responded to the big Queen's run, refusing to give up the lead, and ending the game on a 13-5 run to come away with the 12-point victory.  The key play was a made trey by Andre Toic in the final minute, while Queen's was whistled for a foul away from the ball, giving McMaster two free throws after the Toic basket. 
 
David McCulloch was sensational this night, leading McMaster in scoring, dropping 25 points and dishing a team-high four assists. Connor Gilmore added 21 points and pulled down seven boards, while Lazar Kojovic chipped in another 13 points.
 
The Marauders will now prepare for their next game on Wednesday at powerful Ryerson, with the tip set for 8-pm.
 
The game can be streamed online at oua.tv and is on radio on CFMU 93.3FM.
 
By Jonah Tuck