The University of Toronto Varsity Blues women’s basketball team came away with an 83-73 victory over the Guelph Gryphons in the second game of a back-to-back on Saturday, November 29 at the Athletic Centre Sports Gym.

The Blues dominated the first half, shooting 48.5% from the floor and going 12-for-13 from the line to build a 10-point lead at the midway point of the game.

It was a wide-open game in the final two quarters with both teams running the floor. The Gryphons rallied trying to make up ground and even outscored the home team 25-23 in the fourth quarter. However, the Blues continued to press offensively, and despite being out-scored in the fourth (25-23) hung on for an important win.

The Gryphons were led by Kris Yallin’s (Port Colbourne, Ont.) 17 points. Samantha Russell (Paradise Valley, Ariz.) added 14 points, while third-year forward Rachel Hancock (Ingersoll, Ont.) had 11 points in the loss.

Blues player of the game Alaine Hutton (Hamilton, Ont.) had a game-high 25 points and added seven assists and three steals in the victory. Tara Kinnear (Kemptville, Ont.) and Nicki Shutz (Toronto) were monstrous in the paint as they each recorded double-doubles on the night. Kinnear posted 17 points and 12 boards, while Shutz tallied 16 points and 17 boards. Third-year guard Erin McNeely (Kingston, Ont.) also had a great game, notching 12 points for Toronto.

The Varsity Blues return to action in the new year as they travel to our nation’s capital to take on the Carleton Ravens on Friday, January 9th and the Ottawa Gee-Gees on Saturday, January 10th. Game time on both days is scheduled for 6 p.m.