HAMILTON, Ont. – The No. 4 nationally ranked Mohawk Mountaineers women's basketball team is off to its best start in eight seasons, improving to 6-0 after a 74-61 win over the Fanshawe Falcons on Saturday.

It was the first time this season the Mountaineers won by fewer than 20 points, with Fanshawe keeping the game close until the fourth quarter.

Fanshawe opened strong with an 8-2 lead as Mohawk struggled early, shooting just 35.7 per cent from the field and one-of-six from beyond the arc, while missing five free throws in the first quarter. Despite the slow start, the Mountaineers held a 19-17 advantage after 10 minutes.

In the second quarter, Joanna Smith (Simcoe, Ont.) and Sydney Drain (Tweed, Ont.) powered the Mohawk offense, combining for 13 of the team's 17 points. Smith, facing her former team, scored all seven of the Mountaineers' points early in the frame to push the lead to 26-20. Mohawk stretched its lead to 12 and took a 36-29 advantage into halftime.

The Mountaineers led by as many as 14 in the third, but a late 10-2 run by the Falcons trimmed the margin to 55-50 heading into the fourth.

Mohawk's defence locked in over the final quarter, limiting Fanshawe to just four field goals and 11 points. Each time Fanshawe scored, Mohawk countered with a run to maintain control and secure the victory.

Smith finished with a game-high 21 points in 32 minutes. Tiffany Williams (Hamilton, Ont.) added 13 points and eight rebounds off the bench.

Mohawk will put its undefeated record on the line against the 5-0 Humber Hawks on Nov. 19 in Etobicoke, Ont. Tipoff is set for 6 p.m.