Swinging the game in their favour midway through the opening quarter, the Marauders never looked back Saturday in delivering a lopsided defeat to the Western Mustangs.

McMaster retook the lead with 5:02 to play in the first and did not relinquish it, ultimately coming away from Burridge Gym with a 65-41 decision.

The win was the U SPORTS no. 4-ranked Marauders ninth victory this season with a margin of 20 points or more, and improved the OUA West division leaders to 17-3 in conference play.

Leading the Marauders in scoring yet again, second-year guard Sarah Gates had a game high of 19 points while shooting eight of 14 from the field and three of seven from three-point range. She ended the afternoon just two rebounds shy of a double double.

Celebrating her birthday on home court, senior Hilary Hanaka had 15 points on seven of 18 from the field, while Linnaea Harper (12) and Olivia Wilson (11) also eclipsed the double digit mark in the win.

The pivotal moment of the first quarter came when Harper followed a midrange jumper by forcing a turnover from the Mustangs and getting on the end of a layup in transition, a four-point sequence that sent Western to a timeout with McMaster leading 14-10.

From there, the hosts scored five of the next seven points to close out the quarter, and continued to build on their lead from there. With a 38-22 lead at halftime, the Marauders made the second half academic, and never allowed their level of play to drop in seeing out the win.

NEXT UP: The Marauders make the trip to Sault Ste. Marie to battle the Algoma Thunderbirds on Friday, February 8 and Saturday, February 9. Both games are set to tip off at 6:00 p.m. and can be seen live on OUA.tv.