Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 HAMILTON, Ont. — The McMaster Marauders (0-2-0) would fall in both games of their opening weekend. Marauders took on the Ontario Tech Ridgebacks (2-0-0) and the Wilfrid Laurier Golden Hawks (2-0-0).

Game one vs Ontario Tech

The Marauders got in rhythm early, as third-year athlete, Cashius McNeilly (Scarborough, Ont.), drilled two triples. The Marauders and Ridgebacks went neck-in-neck halfway through the first quarter as the game was tied at 15. Later, Tyler Garcia (Mississauga, Ont.) kept a play alive with a fantastic offensive rebound as the ball found its way to Tre Edwards (Hamilton, Ont.) for his first bucket as a Marauder. Riaz Saliu (Oshawa, Ont.) converted an important putback which kept the Marauders within two. Mike Demangus (Scarborough, Ont.) finished strong for with a bucked to end the quarter 25-23 Marauders.

Saliu drilled an early quarter three-pointer, evening the game at 25 apiece. Moody Qasim (Mississauga, Ont.) nailed another three-pointer, bringing the Marauders lead up to three. Then, Anthony Warzeszcz (Missisauga, Ont.) would drive hard to the rim and earn an and-one opportunity. Shortly after, Elijah Bethune (Toronto, Ont.) connects on a jumper.  Ontario Tech scored on a jumper which cut McMaster's lead to seven. The Ridgebacks rode that momentum and took the score advantage 43-41. The half would end with the maroon down by five.

McNeilly made a brilliant pump fake before he nailed a jumper early in the third quarter. Bethune executed a steal and score to perfection as he put the Marauders within two early in the third quarter. Demangus kept the run going with a layup which tied the game at 48. Qasim received a beautiful pass from Warzeszcz and drilled the three. Brendan Amoyaw (Winnipeg, Man.) received the lob pass from Garcia and finished it with authority. The Ridgebacks then went on a 14-1 run. The Marauders found themselves in a hole as they were down 69-57 going into the fourth quarter.

The Marauders remained unable to find their groove halfway through the fourth quarter as the maroon trailed by 15. Qasim nailed a technical free throw which ended the Marauders cold spell that saw them only record a single bucket prior to the free throw. Bethune added a putback finish, bringing his game total to seven points. Demangus connected on a jump shot, placing the game within reach with just under three minute to play. Demangus continues his great late effort with a steal. Demangus is subsequently fouled and would hit both free throws. Warzeszcz made an incredible steal and assist, setting the table for Saliu to finish it off. McMaster battled back late in the game but would ultimately fall short in game 1 of the season.

Game two vs Wilfrid Laurier

Cashius McNeilly (Scarborough, Ont.) connected on an early triple which earned McMaster their first points of the game. McMaster poured on the pressure early on as Brendan Amoyaw (Winnnipeg, Man.) connected on a bucket that made it 10-2 for the Marauders. Amoyaw made a basket off of a great assist from Anthony Warzeszcz (Missisauga, Ont.). The Marauders were up 20-14 midway through the first quarter. Laurier nailed five straight shots, which gave them the 23-20 lead. The Marauders were down by seven at the end of the quarter.

The Marauders struggled to gain their footing early in the second quarter, but a Moody Qasim (Mississauga, Ont.) three-pointer got them on the board. Elijah Bethune (Toronto, Ont.) made a tough layup and Qasim got it done on the defensive end with a massive rejection. The Marauders faced a nine-point deficit halfway through the second quarter. Mike Demangus (Mississauga, Ont.) completed a tough finish and Warzeszcz connected on a jumper, which gave the Marauders life. Demangus put the Marauders in the lead after he made two layup finishes. The Golden Hawks added six late points, taking a four-point lead to half.

Demangus nailed the first shot of the quarter and then Amoyaw dunked the ball, which tied the game at 46. A Demangus slam dunk followed by Qasim's layup off of a brilliant pass from Ay Osunde (Scarborough, Ont.) kept the game close. After Laurier nailed multiple late quarter shots, McMaster was down by 11 heading into the fourth quarter.

The Marauders came out of break firing. Amoyaw, Qasim and Bethune drilled threes, closing the gap on the Golden Hawks. Laurier controlled the play and added four points before Qasim completed a beautiful steal and score. The Marauders were down by seven with under three minutes left. Tyler Garcia (Mississauga, Ont.) made a brilliant fake shot into reverse layup that energized the Marauders. Demangus hit two clutch free throws, which kept the game in reach. The Marauders were unable to battle back and would lose 73-67.

Next up, McMaster will take on the Lakehead Thunderwolves (2-0-0) on Thunder Bay on October 1st & 2nd.