After losing six games at the start of the season, the men’s basketball team has struggled to find a way to win
The men’s basketball team kicked off their Ontario University Athletics season on Oct. 25 against Ontario Tech University. The Marauders hosted the game, but were not able to to win as they lost with a score of 78 to 88.
After their home opener loss, it would take the Marauders five more losses to find their first win.
After their home opener loss, it would take the Marauders five more losses to find their first win.
On Oct. 27, the Marauders hosted a game against Laurier University. The team lost with a score of 67 to 73. Sixth year guard Mike Demagus led the game in points, scoring 19 in total, but this was still not enough to win.
On Nov. 1. and Nov. 2. the Marauders traveled to Thunder Bay, Ontario to take on the Lakehead University Thunderwolves in back-to-back games. The series saw two more losses added to the Marauder’s record, as they lost the first game with a score of 76 to 91 and the second 73 to 76.
On Nov. 8, the Marauders were unable to win against Western University, finishing the game with a score of 78 to 88. A faceoff against the University of Windsor on Nov. 9 saw the Marauders lose 75 to 95.
However, the Marauders picked up their first win of the OUA season against Nipissing University, finishing 83 to 76. Demagus led the team in points, scoring 17 total. Third-year Anthony Warzeszcz helped in the scoring, putting up 11 total points.
However, after this poor run of form, the Marauders picked up their first win of the OUA season against Nipissing University finishing 83 to 76.
The Marauders will look to turn their season around as they head into the second half. They still have 15 more OUA games to play, with some worthy opponents to face. They will play against USport's seventh placed Carleton University on Nov. 23 and sixth placed Toronto Metropolitan University on Feb. 15, 2025.
Up next, the team faces Laurentian University on Nov. 16 at home in the Burridge gym. This will reveal whether the team has truly improved their game following their first OUA season win.
Following their Feb. 17 loss to TMU, the Marauders suffer their second loss of the weekend at the hands of the Toronto Varsity Blues
A poor finish to the regular season isn’t what many expected to see for the Marauders men’s volleyball team after starting their season with 18 consecutive wins, yet, it happened. It marks the first time since February 2016 that the team has lost back-to-back regular season games. Ironically, the Toronto Varsity Blues were also a part of that losing streak.
Though the Varsity Blues are a stronger opponent then the Toronto Metropolitan Bold, sitting fourth in the standings coming in, the 2021-2022 provincial championship rematch was still largely a game McMaster was expected to take. At least this time out, unlike against the Bold, the Marauders provided some resistance. They took one set by a score of 25 to 23, while losing another by a slim 27 to 25. The remaining two sets were lost by a score of 25 to 20.
The team remained short handed with Sam Cooper remaining out, and Tyler Pavelic having not played per his absence on the box score. However, Mateusz Wlodarski made his return to the court, and Maxime Gratton, whose availability remained in question, also played, making this loss more concerning than the last.
The two losses come as the final two games of the regular season. The Marauders currently hold the second longest losing streak, just to the 20 loss Royal Military College Paladins. On a positive note, the team still finishes as the sole victor of all 10 home games, while also holding the best record on the road.
The Marauders won’t play again until the Ontario University Athletics playoffs, where the quarterfinals begin on Feb. 25. McMaster will hold home court advantage throughout as the number one seed after finishing three wins above the second place Windsor Lancers.
