The Brock Badgers men's basketball team fell 81-61 to the No. 10 nationally ranked Western Mustangs at Bob Davis Gymnasium on Saturday, Feb. 3. The game presented lots of back-and-forth action, but ultimately the fourth quarter surge from the Mustangs proved to be the decider.

Fourth-year forward Jordan Tchuente led the way for the Badgers, recording 12 points, three rebounds and three assists. Freshmen Davante Hackett and Andrew McKenna both finished with double-digit scoring, while fifth-year guard Jevon Brown remained hot from beyond the arc, leading the game with three three-pointers.

The Badgers started the game off strong, working their way inside for buckets and free throws to establish an early lead. Tchuente and Kevaughn Ellis led the way in the first, both recording four points respectively. The Mustangs struggled from the field from tip-off, going 3 for 15 in the quarter. Brown and the Badgers took full advantage, knocking down a corner three to extend their lead to 19-12 after one.

The Badgers wasted no time building onto their lead early in the second, as Brown grabbed an offensive rebound, and went back up for the and-one basket. Brock's double digit lead proved to be short lived though, as the Mustangs went on a 7-0 run to bring the game close, forcing a Badgers' timeout. Western continued their strong play following the stoppage, scoring five more unanswered points for their first lead of the game. A deep three-pointer from Hackett brought the Badgers game back to life, as they would establish a 36-32 lead going into the halftime break.

The back-and-forth action intensified as both teams traded baskets for the next few minutes. A corner three for Western presented itself as the edge late in the third, forcing a Brock timeout. Ellis and Hackett traded three-pointers to bring the game close, but the Mustangs held onto a 57-54 lead at the end of the quarter.

Western went on a 9-2 run to start the fourth, forcing a Brock timeout. The Badgers struggled to find their shooting as the quarter progressed, and the Mustangs were able to exploit their flaws, consistently getting to the free-throw line to build onto their lead. The Mustangs were able to thwart any attempt of a comeback for the Badgers, seeing out the game for the win.

Next up, the Badgers (8-11) will host the visiting Laurentian Voyageuers (2-17) on Friday, Feb. 9, at 8 p.m. at Bob Davis Gymnasium. Men's basketball will honour their graduates in a ceremony before the game. You can purchase your tickets at https://brocku.universitytickets.com/ or catch the game live on OUA.tv.