Nick Magalas (Burlington, Ont.) scored 36 points as the University of Toronto Varsity Blues men’s basketball opened up their 2008-09 OUA regular season with a 92-78 victory over the Ryerson Rams on Friday, October 31 at Kerr Hall.

The Blues got off to a good start, opening up a 15-point lead at the end of the first quarter. However, the Rams were not to be denied at home, rallying back and narrowing the deficit to five, 46-39, at halftime.

Ryerson would take a three-point lead in the fourth quarter but Toronto turned up the heat and went on a late run to pull away from their cross-town foes and finish the game with a comfortable 14-point cushion.

Magalas was 3-for-3 from beyond the arc and added five steals to his game-high 36 points. Ahmed Nazmi (Cairo, Egypt) recorded a double-double for the Varsity Blues with 18 points and 10 boards. Rob Paris (St. Catharines, Ont.) and Patrick Sewell (London, Ont.) each added 11 points.

The Varsity Blues host the McMaster Marauders on Friday, November 7 and the Lakehead Thunderwolves on Saturday, November 8 at the Athletic Centre Sports Gym. Game time on both day is set for 8 p.m.