The University of Toronto Varsity Blues women’s basketball team handily defeated the RMC Paladins 81-52 on Saturday, January 17 at the Athletic Centre Sports Gym.

RMC gained an early 9-5 lead but Toronto came alive and went on to outscore the Paladins 36-8 to build a 41-17 lead going into halftime. Sheri Pierce (Brampton, Ont.) and Nicki Shutz (Toronto) led the way with 11 points each in the first half.

Fifth-year Paladin veteran Sharlene Harding’s (Brampton, Ont.) 11 points rallied her squad to outscore the Blues 26-23 in the third quarter.

Toronto returned to form and shut down the RMC offence in the fourth quarter, outscoring the Paladins 18-8 to secure the 81-52 victory.

Pierce had a game-high 19 points and was named Blues player of the game for her efforts. Hutton tallied 18 points and six steals, while Shutz and Tara Kinnear (Kemptville, Ont.) each recorded 16 points and eight boards in the victory.

Kim Egert (Westport, Ont.) led the Paladins with 15 points and Harding recorded a double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds in the loss.

The Varsity Blues return to action next Friday, January 23 when they host the Laurentian Voyageurs at the Athletic Centre Sports Gym. Game time is scheduled for 6 p.m.