Varsity Blues forward Ahmed Nazmi had a banner night at both ends of the floor in leading the men’s basketball team to a solid 79-67 win over the visiting Guelph Gryphons on Saturday, November 29 at the University of Toronto’s Athletic Centre Sports Gym.
The native of Cairo, Egypt was a man on a mission this evening, amassing a game-high 26 points on 52% shooting. The fourth-year arts and science major also led all players, hauling in 16 rebounds with two steals and two assists, and earned Blues player of the game honours for the second straight night.
Toronto took control of the game from the opening whistle and by the time the first half had come to an end, they held a commanding 42-27 advantage over the visiting Gryphons.
As a team the Blues shot 53% in the first half, including 46% (6-for-13) from beyond the arc and out-rebounded their opponent 23-13.
Guelph rallied the troops in the second half, outscoring the Blues 40-37 on the strength of Nick Pankerichan’s (Hamilton, Ont.) and Jonathan Moscatelli’s perimeter shooting as the two combined for 23 points in the final two frames.
However, the Blue and White remained composed and answered every Gryphons run with one of their own until second-year point guard Anthony DeGiorgio, who replaced Nick Magalas after he fouled out of the game, hit four huge free throws for the home team with under a minute left in regulation to seal the victory.
Three other Blues hit double figures against the Badgers. St. Catharines native Rob Paris knocked down 14 points, fellow guard Nick Magalas (Burlington, Ont.) added 12 and seven assists, while fourth-year forward Nick Snow (London, Ont.) chipped in with 10.
Moscatelli led Guelph with 22 points, while centre Duncan Milne drained 19 on his own. Pankerichan added 10 and five assists, while fourth-year player Charles Agyemang grabbed a team-high six boards.
The Varsity Blues next action will not be until the new year when they visit the Carleton Ravens on January 9, 2009 and the Ottawa Gee-Gees the following night. Both games are in Ottawa and are scheduled to tip off at 8 p.m.
