Hamilton, Ont. - McMaster hosted a women's empowerment game at home last Friday, with the women falling by one-point in overtime to the 2025 Critelli Cup winners, Ottawa. Outside the court, Marauders competed across multiple fronts as wrestling, women's fencing, and Nordic skiing were all in action at major meets and championships around Ontario.

Men's Basketball
January 23 - L: 57-84 vs Ottawa | Box Score
January 24 - L: 60-82 vs Carleton | Box Score

Women's Basketball
January 23 - L: 74-75 OT vs Ottawa | Box Score
January 24 - L: 55-78 vs Carleton | Box Score

Wrestling
January 24 - Guelph Open, Guelph, Ont. | Results

Women's Fencing
January 24, 25 - OUA Championships, Peterborough, Ont. | Results

Nordic Skiing
January 24 - Mono Invitational, Mono, Ont. | Results
January 25 - Nordic Muskoka Loppet, Huntsville, Ont. | Results

 

Men's Basketball
January 23 - L: 57-84 vs Ottawa | Box Score

Marauders men's basketball team fought hard as they hosted the 9th-ranked team in the country, the Gees-Gees from the University of Ottawa, at Burridge Gym on Friday evening. McMaster trailed by only 11 at half time before the Gee-Gees pulled away in the second half, as the Marauders fell to the Gee-Gees by a final score of 84-57. 
Despite the loss, there were some bright spots for the Marauders. Early in the first quarter, first year Riley Bleich (Fonthill, Ont.) put McMaster on the board with a three pointer. The bench provided 30 points for McMaster with James Kelly (Toronto, ON), a first year forward, scoring a team-high 15 points, his highest outing of the season in OUA league play, and Jack McMahan (Burlington, ON), another first year Marauder, chipping in with 10 more. Ares Culley-Bremner (Hamilton, ON), the OUA's second leading rebounder and leader in blocked shots, was also a key contributor and had a strong all-around game with 8 points, 11 rebounds and 6 assists. Riaz Saliu (Oshawa, ON) also contributed with 11 boards.

January 24 - L: 60-82 vs Carleton | Box Score

The McMaster Marauders (2-15) fell 82-60 to the Carleton Ravens (14-2) in a tightly contested matchup on Saturday evening.Riley Bleich (Fonthill, Ont.) opened the scoring for McMaster, converting an offensive rebound into a layup. The Ravens responded with a strong push on the offensive end, challenging the Marauders defensively throughout the opening quarter. McMaster built momentum in the second quarter when Jeremiah Francis (Surrey, B.C.) finished a layup off a feed from Ares Culley-Bremner (Hamilton, Ont.). Isaiah Flores (Whitby, Ont.) followed with a layup later in the frame to keep the Marauders within striking distance, but Carleton held the lead 33-26 going into halftime. Tyler Garcia (Mississauga, Ont.) knocked down a 3-pointer early in the third quarter to keep McMaster in the game. The energy continued to build with a Culley-Bremner dunk, a 3-pointer from Jack McMahan (Burlington, Ont.) and a Flores jumper to close the frame. McMaster carried that rhythm into the fourth quarter, with Bleich connecting on a 3-pointer. Despite the Marauders' push, Carleton pulled away to secure the 82-60 victory.
 

Women's Basketball
January 23 - L: 74-75 OT vs Ottawa | Box Score

The McMaster Marauders battled through a tightly contested matchup against the Ottawa Gee-Gees, pushing the game into overtime before narrowly falling 74–75 at Burridge Gym this Friday.
McMaster opened strong, with Tayler Scott (Burlington, Ont.) scoring the first basket of the game and continuing to make her presence felt early. Strong defensive pressure from Jordan Denkers (Hamilton, Ont.) forced a shot-clock violation that led to an easy finish from Sophia Urosevic (Kitchener, Ont.), knocking down a key three to keep the Marauders in control. McMaster carried that momentum into the second quarter, with Urosevic hitting back-to-back threes. Followed by Scott adding points through contact as the Marauders held a slim lead at halftime.
The third quarter stayed tight as Ottawa tried to close the gap, but McMaster answered with timely plays. Emily Frankovic (Thornhill, Ont.) finished inside, Carly McBain (Guelph, Ont.) hit a clutch three, and Grace Ammendolia (Hamilton, Ont.) made her presence felt on both ends, helping Mac maintain a narrow edge heading into the fourth.
The final quarter turned into a defensive battle. Steals from A'mya Rawlins-Thomas (Ajax, Ont.) and McBain kept possession with McMaster, while Scott delivered clutch baskets late, including a tying score that sent Burridge into a roar. With the game tied at 67–67, the Marauders forced another shot-clock violation to earn a chance to win it, but Ottawa managed to extend the game into overtime.
Through overtime, Ammendolia opened with a strong finish, and Scott continued her dominant stretch with multiple baskets to keep McMaster ahead. Despite the late push, Ottawa scored in the final moments to edge out the Marauders 74–75, ending a hard-fought overtime battle.

January 24 - L: 55-78 vs Carleton | Box Score

The McMaster Marauders (4-13) fell 78-55 to the Carleton Ravens (11-5) on Saturday evening at Burridge Gymnasium. McMaster came out with early energy, opening the scoring on a layup from Grace Ammendolia(Hamilton, Ont,). The Ravens responded by testing the Marauder defence throughout the quarter, but McMaster answered when a Teja McCormick (Toronto, Ont.) steal led to a Carly McBain(Guelph, Ont.) layup. Ammendolia capped the opening frame with a buzzer-beating layup to keep the Marauders within reach. McBain opened the second quarter with a jumper, followed by an Ammendolia 3-pointer as McMaster continued to apply pressure. Despite the late push, Carleton took a 40-34 lead at halftime. The Marauders stayed competitive in the third quarter, keeping the scoring tight. Tayler Scott (Burlington, Ont.) converted an early layup before McBain followed with a 3-pointer, pulling McMaster within three. Emily Frankovic (Thornhill, Ont.) knocked down a 3-pointer in the fourth quarter, contributing to McMaster's shooting beyond the arc. Carleton then pulled away in the frame to seal the 78-55 victory.
 

Wrestling
January 24 - Guelph Open, Guelph, Ont. | Results

McMaster wrestling delivered strong performances at the Guelph Open, highlighted by Serena Di Benedetto's gold medal in the women's 53kg division. Macy Malysiak added a silver at 59kg, Natalie Vecchio placed fourth at 76kg, and Luken Lawson rounded out the podium finishes with a third-place result in the men's 79kg weight class.
 

Women's Fencing
January 24, 25 - OUA Championships, Peterborough, Ont. | Results

Top McMaster finishers:
Women's Foil: Olivia Zhang, 12th 
Women's Epee: Akanksha Guleria, 13th
Women's Saber: Kate Jordan, 10th

Team Women's Epee: 5th
Team Women's Foil: 6th
Team Women's Saber: 6th

Nordic Skiing
January 24 - Mono Invitational, Mono, Ont. | Results

McMaster capped off a strong showing as David Harris captured first place in the open men's 7.5 km, finishing in 21:12.5. Along with Harris' win, the Marauders saw Ingrid Pedersen claim victory in the open women's 7.5 km, Claire Stephen place fourth, and Aliyah Shaw and Charlotte Narducci finish sixth and seventh, while Austin Conroy rounded out the podium performances with a third-place result in the U20 men's 7.5 km.

Upcoming Events (Jan 26- Feb 1)

Jan 30
6:00 PM: Women's Basketball vs York | Tickets
6:00 PM: Women's Volleyball @ Queen's 
8:00 PM: Men's Basketball vs York | Tickets
8:00 PM: Men's Volleyball @ Queen's

Jan 31
4:00 PM: Women's Volleyball @ Queen's
6:00 PM: Men's Volleyball @ Queen's
6:00 PM: Women's Basketball @ Brock
8:00 PM: Men's Basketball @ Brock
Track: York Open

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