The McMaster Marauders men's basketball team fell to the Brock Badgers 88-75 in the OUA semifinals on Wednesday night.
 
High intensity and noise were the themes of the night, with the Bob David Gym packed to the brim. Though McMaster didn't have the home team advantage, fans decked out in maroon made enough noise to make it feel like the Burridge.
 
Guards Mychael Paulo and Mike Demagus put on two of the best performances of the night for the Marauders, each recording five field goals and three three-pointers. Jordan Henry also recorded five field goals, along with Ay Osunde, who put away 5-of-7 in only 10 minutes on the court.
 
Demagus was also his team's rebounding star, grabbing seven in his own end and one more in Brock's. His talent at the net was almost mirrored by fellow starter Sefa Otchere, who captured five defensive and two offensive rebounds.
 
The Marauders began the game with confidence, but quickly ramped up their defence after the Badgers opened the game's scoring with a three-pointer just 10 seconds into the first quarter. Sinking threes continued to be a trend for Brock throughout the first, but the Marauders showed the home team they were here to play by putting away 16 points to Brock's 22, trailing by only a few baskets after 10 minutes.
 
Brock was quick to the net again in the second, sinking their first basket less than a minute in, setting them off on a run that more than doubled their score from the first quarter. After a slow start to the second, McMaster finally ended the Badgers streak with a foul shot from Henry. A basket from Paulo followed with less than three minutes left before Demagus pushed Brock to call a time out with a three. Demagus' outstanding play was highlighted again with another three-pointer in the dying seconds of the half — the Marauders trailed the Badgers 47-29 after 20 minutes.
 
Fresh from a halftime regroup, Henry came out strong, making it the Marauders turn to open the quarter's scoring. Brock came back quickly to grab a three, but Paulo only retaliated, proving that McMaster wasn't out of the game just yet. As the quarter intensified, McMaster's Ares Culley-Bremner left the game with an injury that had him struggling to get off the court, but it only encouraged his team to fight harder for a chance at the OUA final. However, the Badgers still led 70-47 by the end of the third quarter.
 
With a 23-point deficit, and only 10 minutes left, McMaster pushed hard, ramping up in both the offensive and defensive end, and working tirelessly to close the gap between them and the Badgers. The Marauders grabbed a couple fouls shots in the last few minutes and racked up baskets to put themselves just 13 points behind Brock. Unfortunately, it wouldn't be enough to take the win, as McMaster's season came to an end with the 88-75 match.