HAMILTON, Ont. — The Marauders (2-0-0) went undefeated in the opening weekend of the 2024-2025 season. McMaster took on the Ontario Tech Ridgebacks (0-2-0) and the Wilfrid Laurier Golden Hawks (0-2-0) and came out with a two wins over the successful weekend.

Game one vs Ontario Tech

The Marauders got off to a hot start as they earned the first 10 points of the game, highlighted by Delaney Bourget's (Sudbury, Ont.) two three-pointers. The second of which was assisted beautifully by Deanna Mataseje (Ancaster, Ont.). The Marauders kept the pressure up as they earned an early 16-3 lead.

The Ridgebacks responded by cutting the lead down to eight before A'Mya Rawlins-Thomas (Ajax, Ont.) executed on a euro step and buried a mid-range shot that put the Marauders back up to 10. Emily Frankovich (Thornhill, Ont.) blocked the last shot of quarter, preserving the 23-10 Marauders lead at the end of quarter one. Bourget was the leading scorer with nine points and Mataseje had a strong quarter setting up her teammates as she recorded four assists.

Amy Stinson (Hamilton, Ont.) scored the first points of the second quarter with a three-pointer. Mataseje and Sophia Urosevic (Kitchener, Ont.) also scored quickly, bringing the Marauders to a 30-10 lead. The Marauders gained a 38-13 lead when Jordan Denkers shook her defender off with a drop-step before hitting a fadeaway bucket. Frankovich connected late on three of four free throws which brought the Marauders advantage to 47-17. The Ridgebacks hit a buzzer beater, ending the half at 47-20.

Frankovich got hot early in the quarter with two layup finishes bringing her point total to 12. Urosevic hit an early jump shot, extending McMaster's lead to 56-26. The Marauders defense was on display as Rawlings-Thomas executed a timely block and then a steal midway through the quarter. The Ridgebacks went on a 10-2 run advancing the score to 58-36 in the Marauders favour. The Marauders grabbed four offensive boards courtesy of Grace Ammendolia (Hamilton, Ont.) and Cassie Joli-Coeur (Johnstown, Ont.). Joli-Coeur finished off the play with a layup. The quarter ended with the Marauders holding onto a commanding 60-40 lead.

Frankovich nailed a three-pointer to start the quarter, Mataseje earned the assist. Amy Stinson dropped her fifth three of the game, bringing her point total to 21. Deanna Mataseje executed a steal and score as she drove hard to the rim and earned an and-one. Frankovich drilled her second three-pointer of the game, as the Marauders continued to run away with the game, 75-43. Urosevic added her second three, extending the Marauders lead to 30. Ammendolia scored off a pretty euro step on the Marauders next possession. The Marauders close out the game, earning the 86-51 victory.

Stinson finished the game with a team leading 21 points and Mataseje continued her impressive passing as she recorded 10 assists on the day.

Game two vs Wilfrid Laurier

Amy Stinson (Hamilton, Ont.) wasted no time as she put the Marauders on the board first with a three-pointer. Emily Frankovich (Thornhill, Ont.) sent the ball inside to Cassie Joli-Couer (Johnstown, Ont.) for one of her four straight baskets for the Marauders. Frankovich blocked a bid from Laurier, which kept the game at 9-6. Frankovich would stop a Golden Hawks run with her first bucket of the game. The quarter would end with a 15-13 score in favour of Laurier. Joli-Couer was a major contributor to the Marauder attack with eight points in the first quarter.

Stinson converted a great two-way sequence to start the quarter as she made a defensive rejection and then scored on the other end. Deanna Mataseje (Ancaster, Ont.) showed her great anticipation with a steal that led to her first score of the game. Delaney Bourget (Sudbury, Ont.) earned her first points of the game which tied the game at 25, halfway through the second quarter. Amy Stinson connected on a three and Joli-Couer drove to the basket for another two, which kept the game close. Joli-Couer added another bucket which brought her total to 18 points at half time. The Marauders were down by eight, heading into the second half.

Frankovich nailed her first effort of the third quarter. Mataseje's perfect inbound pass sets up Frankovich for another score. Joli-Couer added another bucket, bringing her to 22 points late in the third quarter. The Golden Hawks made a few late shots and Sophia Urosevic (Kitchener, Ont.) connected on a buzzer beater. The Marauders were down five heading into the fourth quarter.

Joli-Coeur hit another jumper, this time off of an assist from Mataseje. Joli-Coeur continued to dominate with another bucket which brought her to 30 points on the day. Joli-Couer made another layup, which earned the Marauders a one-point lead. Joli-Couer backed down her defender and connected on another jumper. Urosevic made a free throw, which set McMaster up by one with a minute left.

Stinson sends back the Golden Hawks shot attempt but shortly after the Golden Hawks took back the lead. Joli-Couer drilled a clutch jumper, her 41^st point of the night, Marauders up by one. Mataseje with another clutch play as she stole the ball on the inbound. Marauders held on and won 70-68.

Joli-Couer was the difference maker for McMaster as the 6'3 forward dropped 41 points and grabbed seven rebounds. Her scoring outburst is tied for the second most points by a Marauder in a single game. 

Next up, the Marauders visit Thunder Bay to take on the Lakehead Thunderwolves on back-to-back days.