The University of Toronto Varsity Blues men’s basketball team handily defeated the Laurentian Voyageurs 84-63 on Friday, January 23 at the Athletic Centre Sports Gym.

Both teams got off to a slow start with the Blues holding a slight 20-15 lead after the first quarter.

Blues player of the game Sebastian Magalas (Burlington, Ont.) and second-year guard Justin Holmes (Toronto) came off the bench midway through the second quarter to rally Toronto with a combined ten point performance.

The Blues shot 50% from the field through two quarters and held a 43-37 lead at the half.

Toronto and Laurentian again came out slow to start the second half. Fourth-year veteran Rob Paris (St. Catharines, Ont.) sparked the Blues offence, nailing back-to-back three-pointers. The Blues went on to outscore the Voyageurs 20-5 and build a 21-point lead going into the final frame.

Laurentian rallied to draw the Blues to a 21-21 fourth quarter but it was too little, too late and Toronto walked away with the 84-63 victory.

Paris led all players with 16 points, while fourth-year forward Patrick Sewell (London, Ont.) added 11 points. Ahmed Nazmi (Cairo, Egypt.) tallied 10 points and Magalas had a solid performance with eight points, six assists and two steals in the victory.

Paul Kovacs (Barrie, Ont.) led the Voyageurs with 14 points, while Matas Tirilis (Mississauga, Ont.) added 12 points in the loss.

The Varsity Blues return home tomorrow night to host the York Lions at the Athletic Centre Sports Gym. The team will be honouring former athletic director and successful head coach of the men’s basketball team, Gib Chapman at halftime of the 8 p.m. game.