Putting a disappointing end to the 2018 calendar firmly in their rear view, the Marauders signalled their intent for better with an upset of the #9 Laurier Golden Hawks on their home floor in Waterloo Friday.

With Connor Gilmore pouring in 22 points to lead the team, McMaster shot a blistering 48 per cent as a group from the floor and navigated past Laurier 79-67 to improve to 5-7 in OUA play.

The win snapped a four-game losing streak for the Marauders.

Gilmore was eight of 16 from the field and two of five from three-point range, making good on all four trips to the free throw line and adding eight boards.

Sefa Otchere (12) and Jordan Henry (11) also eclipsed double digits in scoring Friday, and finished their nights 4-6 and 5-7 from the field respectively as leading lights in Mac's impressive shooting performance.

Playing 22 minutes in his Marauders debut, former Western Mustang forward Damiann Prehay contributed nine points and five rebounds to the winning effort.

McMaster held Laurier to just 34 per cent shooting from the field and 21 per cent from three-point range, surrendering just three buckets from long range over the course of the win.

A 9-3 run to end the opening quarter pushed the Marauders into the lead, one they would successfully defend for the remainder of the contest.

Doing much of his damage before the halftime break, Gilmore had 14 of his 22 points in the first half as his team took a five-point advantage into the locker room.

NEXT UP: McMaster remains on the road in a week's time, heading to Guelph to battle the Gryphons on Friday, January 11. The game is slated to tip off at 8:00 p.m. and can be seen live and on demand on OUA.tv.